Who is missing Southampton woman Joanne Sheen?

Joanne Sheen was 44 when she was reported missing by her family on February 22 2020.

She was last seen when travelling from Fareham to Southampton with a friend on December 5 2019.

Four years on since the last sighting of Joanne, police have searched a flat in Southampton.

But who is Joanne Sheen and what do we know about her disappearance?

Joanne Sheen (Image: Supplied)

Joanne, affectionately known as Little Jo, was a loved mother-of-three.

From Southampton, Joanne has been described as a lovely, loving person by her daughter Hayley.

She is white, around 5ft 1in tall and slim.

She has long, dark brown hair and a number of tattoos, including a heart-and-dagger on her right upper arm and a band of flowers.

Joanne also has a tattoo of flowers on her right thigh and a star on her right foot. She has a tattoo of blue flowers on her left arm.

When did she go missing?

Police in Mount Pleasant Road, searching for Jo Sheen (Image: Newsquest)

The last corroborated sighting of Joanne was on December 5 2019, and she was reported missing on February 22 2020.

After a missing person report was made, police began conducting enquiries and a public appeal to find her was launched on April 17 that year.

According to Hampshire Constabulary, it was not unusual for Joanne to occasionally not make contact with loved ones for weeks at this time.

Where have police been searching?

A warrant was executed by officers at an address in Parsonage Road, Southampton on Monday in connection with their investigation into Joanne's disappearance.

They have remained on the scene since then, with residents sighting them in the area on several days.

Police have been at an address in Parsonage Road as part of their investigation into Joanne's disappearance (Image: Newsquest)

This summer, police carried out a search for Jo across the Solent by deploying marine units.

But ‘nothing of note was located’.

In August 2022, police were seen examining items found under the pier next to Mayflower Park.

Speaking at the time, officers said: “Items including trainers and a handbag were found and will be examined further to establish whether or not they are of relevance to this investigation.”

In the year of her disappearance, police said they were searching the River Itchen for missing Jo.

They also conducted operations on Empress Road, speaking to numerous witnesses, friends and associates to try and find out where she might be.

Arrests made

In November 2020, a 30-year-old woman from Southampton had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

She was released under investigation whilst three others – a 63-year-old man, a 50-year-old man and a 29-year-old man from Basingstoke – were arrested.

They were all released under investigation.

The murder investigation was opened on November 2, 2020.

‘Not forgotten’

Jo's daughters, Hayley (left) and Layla (Image: Newsquest)

Jo's daughters, Hayley and Layla gathered at the White Swan off Mansbridge Road in September 2021.

The pair led a procession of around 30 people to nearby Riverside Park in memory of their mother.

Layla said: “She’s not been forgotten about. There are loads of people that love her.

“It’s crazy that she’s not here with us right now and there’s no explanation as to why."

What have police said?

Speaking on the latest search in Parsonage Road, a spokesperson from Hampshire Police said: “Officers conducting enquiries into the disappearance of Joanne Sheen in November 2019 have carried out a warrant at an address on Parsonage Road in connection with their investigation.

“We executed the warrant at the address on Monday morning (December 4).”

They added: “We continue to appeal for anyone who has information regarding Joanne’s whereabouts to please call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting Operation Blackboard or 44200068330.

“People can also submit information through our online portal by going to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC20W04-PO1.”