Murder arrest 20 years after woman found dead near Pen-y-ghent

Pen-y-ghent seen from Sulber Moss near Horton in Ribblesdale
-Credit:Getty Images


A man was arrested on suspicion of murder more than 20 years on from the discovery of a woman's body in the Yorkshire Dales. Lamduan Armitage, who would now be 55, was found by walkers in a stream at Sell Gell, near Pen-y-ghent, on September 20, 2004.

She remained unidentified for 15 years and became known as the Lady of the Hills until her parents saw a news report and contacted police. DNA testing confirmed it was the mum-of-three. In an update late last night, North Yorkshire Police said: "A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Lamduan Armitage in 2004. He remains in police custody for questioning.”

The force urged the public and media to “refrain from speculation” about the case and respect the privacy of family members and people connected to the case. Cold case detectives and family liaison officers visited Thailand in February 2023.

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Lamduan Armitage was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales more than 20 years ago
Lamduan Armitage was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales more than 20 years ago -Credit:North Yorkshire Police

A review of the case took place in 2016, with scientific advances meaning police were able to piece together a more detailed picture of who she was and came to the conclusion she had been killed, the BBC reports. At the time of her death, police were unable to determine a cause.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Cold Case Review Unit at North Yorkshire Police, quoting reference number 12170002439.