Man (45) arrested on suspicion of murdering Alena Grlakova

Police confirmed this afternoon that the body found on Monday in Taylor's Lane, Parkgate, was that of 38-year-old Alena, who has been missing since Boxing Day.

The 45-year-old Rotherham man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in police custody this afternoon.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday evening (Tuesday), however, the cause of death was unascertained.

Det Chief Insp Mark Oughton, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation in to Alena’s disappearance, and now the discovery of her body, is continuing to progress at pace, and I can confirm that we are now treating this as a murder inquiry.

“Further tests will be carried out over the coming days to determine exactly how Alena died."

Alena was last seen on CCTV leaving The Travellers Inn on Rawmarsh Hill, Parkgate, at around 7pm. A man she was seen leaving with has been traced and eliminated from police enquiries. She was later seen at The Fitzwilliam Arms Hotel, Taylors Lane, Parkgate, at around 10.30pm that same evening, and left walking towards Rawmarsh Hill.

She was not seen since and her family reported her missing in January after she failed to make contact with them.

DCI Oughton added: "A team of officers, who have been working on the investigation since Alena was reported missing, are continuing with their enquiries to establish where she went after leaving the pub that evening.

“We have specialist officers with her family both in the UK and in Slovakia and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time.

"We are determined to find answers for them and our officers remain in the Parkgate area today conducting enquiries and providing reassurance.

“I’d like to ask anyone, who believes they have any information that could assist with the investigation to contact us.

"Please cast your minds back to that evening - did you see Alena?"

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 453 of April 8, call the incident room directly on 01709 443540 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.