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Authorities boarded up a property in Shepherd’s Bush weeks before a police investigation into the disappearance of a woman missing for more than 15 years discovered human remains.

Neighbours say a letter referring to a rat problem was posted on the front of the run-down house in Tunis Road two or three weeks ago.

Police were still at the scene on January 29 after discovering the the remains of a body on January 27.

They had been at the scene since the beginning of the week after Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) Council last month reported a woman had been missing for 15 years.

Police believe they know the identity of the deceased and have contacted next of kin.

A H&F Council notice on the door was still on the door on January 29. It read: "Notice requiring steps to be taken to destroy rats or mice to keep land free from rats and mice."

'Freaky'

Neighbours on the road spoke of their horror at the discovery.

One long-time resident said she remembered the woman who had lived at the property.

She said: “I’ve lived her 30 years and I remember her. She was an Irish lady who was very well dressed. She kept herself to herself and never spoke to anyone.

“It’s freaky. It’s horrible to think that some poor woman was in there for 15 years.

“The house was boarded up two or three weeks ago. Why didn’t somebody smell her in there then?”

Another woman who lives opposite the property said: “It was boarded up a few weeks ago, not long. They put up notices that it was rat related.

“It’s terrible to learn they found someone in there. It’s the sort of thing that happens in the news. You don’t think it will happen on your own street.

“But it’s odd that someone can be missing for 15 years before being reported missing.”

A third neighbour, who lived further down the road, said: “I’ve lived here 35 years and I can’t picture her.

"I’ve been told the house was in a mess. But it’s a shame there were no neighbours that are able to look out for each other.”

The property was located a stone’s throw from Shephed’s Bush Police Station.

Police believe it will take some time to formally identify the remains. They are currently treating the death as unexplained. A post mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

H&F Council said it was assisting police with inquiries.