The identification of a body as that of a teenager murdered a decade ago has led police to investigate possible links with two other missing women.
The human remains of Rachel Wilson were found at Newham Hall Farm near Middlesbrough three weeks ago.
The 19-year-old disappeared from the town's Southfield Road area where she was a sex worker in May 2002.
Cleveland Police said that they are treating Rachel's death as suspicious following the discovery of her body, and a murder inquiry has been opened.
Rachel's mother Tina appealed for anybody with information regarding her daughter to come forward.
Speaking at a press conference she said: "For the last 10 years we have been hoping that she would just come in the house.
"And then on Friday we found out she wouldn't.
"All I am asking for is for somebody who knows (anything) to come forward and... let us find out really what happened to Rachel."
Temporary Detective Superintendent Peter McPhillips described the development as a "major step forward".
Up to 100 officers were working on the case at one point, and a 57-year-old man was arrested in 2003 but was released without charge.
Police are now looking into possible connections with the cases of two other missing people.
Vicky Glass vanished from Middlesbrough town centre in September 2000, aged 21. Six weeks later, her naked body was found on moorland near Danby, North Yorkshire.
In 1998, 17-year-old Donna Keogh also disappeared from the area, and police believe she was murdered although her body has ever been found.
