Bernadette Walker (pictured), 17, was reported missing from Peterborough on July 21 after she had not been seen for three days
A fresh round of searches has begun for a missing teenager feared murdered by her parents – just a week after police confirmed their current searches had concluded.
Bernadette Walker, 17, has now not been seen for over three months, since July 18 – three days before her mother Sarah reported her missing on July 21.
On September 11, a ‘no-body’ murder investigation was launched by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.
Just three days later on September 14, Bernadette’s parents Sarah and Scott Walker, aged 37 and 50 respectively, were charged with their daughter’s murder.
Police have been searching for Bernadette for over a month, since September 15.
Officers wearing waterproof suits and police lifejackets have been combing through open farmland and fields, as well as in rivers, in both Bernadette’s hometown of Peterborough, Cambs., and over the county border into Lincolnshire.
But, after concluding their current searches last Monday (October 12), police have now confirmed that a fresh round of searches have begun.
The previous search for missing Bernadette Walker was carried out in the ditches around the Gunthorpe and Werrington areas of Peterborough,
Officers spent over a fortnight scouring remote farmland and open fields in Cowbit, Lincolnshire – 16 miles north of where Bernadette lived with her family
Police are targeting some more enclosed areas including some abandoned buildings in the area we were previously searching close to the teenager’s home in Peterborough
The focus is now on a more enclosed area, including abandoned buildings on land they have already searched.
A Police spokesperson said: ‘We are reviewing our search parameters.
‘We have targeted some more enclosed areas including some abandoned buildings in the area we were previously searching.
Police and forensics have previously searched residential garages in their investigations into the search for Bernadette
‘This has not required as big a search team as we had when we were covering the more rural areas.
‘We will be continuing to search and this may involve more officers again once the targeted locations have been completed.’
Bernadette’s parents, both of Century Square in Millfield, Peterborough, are awaiting a trial in March
On September 14, Bernadette’s parents Sarah and Scott Walker, (pictured)aged 37 and 50 respectively, were charged with their daughter’s murder
The couple appeared at Peterborough Crown Court for a hearing on September 16 via video link from HMP Peterborough.
Both adults spoke only to confirm their names during the brief hearing at the court. No pleas were entered.
They were remanded in custody to appear at a plea and trial preparation hearing in November.
Missing: Bernadette Walker, 17, pictured with her father Scott Walker, 50, who has now been charged with her murder
They had reportedly told police that they last saw her on July 18 when she ran out of their car.
Ms Walker said that her daughter texted her nearly two days later, at 1am on July 20, to say that she would be returning ‘soon’ to the family’s five bedroom council home in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
Bernadette’s parents reported her missing to police the following day on July 21 when they told officers that they had heard nothing more from her.
Mother-of-nine Ms Walker, who had a baby girl around six months ago, distributed posters around Peterborough to appeal for information about her missing daughter who loved goth and punk music.
Bernadette’s family hometown in Millfield, Peterborough, where she lived with her parents and siblings (Pictured: Officers at her home previously in their investigation)
Bernadette’s family say they are ‘baffled’ and hope police ‘got it wrong’ after her parents were charged with her murder.
Scott Walker’s sister, Bernadette’s aunt, has said she and other relatives are in ‘total disbelief’, but are still hoping the 17-year-old could come back alive.
Bernadette is described as medium build with half brown, half gingery blonde hair.
She has facial piercings and two homemade tattoos.