A woman has been charged with the murder of her mother following their mysterious disappearance earlier this year. Emma Nightingale, 36, faces serious charges related to the death of her mother, Lorna Nightingale, who was 70 years old. The pair went missing months apart, with Lorna last seen in Lowestoft in February and Emma vanishing from Colchester in June. Their disappearances prompted a significant search operation by the Suffolk Police, which began on August 24.
Although both women were found “safe and well” on September 30, the situation took a tragic turn when Lorna was later found deceased in Walthamstow, London. Emergency services responded to reports of an unresponsive woman on December 11, 2023, and Lorna was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe she may have died sometime between November 1 and December 11.
Emma Nightingale was taken into custody following the discovery of her mother’s body. During her court appearance at Thames Magistrates’ Court on December 13, she was remanded in custody and is set to appear at the Old Bailey in London on January 9, 2024. The court documents list her address as Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow, the same location where her mother was found.
The search for the Nightingales involved multiple police units, including the County Policing Command, Missing Person Advisors, Technical Support Unit, Surveillance Unit, and Intelligence Unit. A range of partner agencies and charities, such as the British Transport Police, also assisted in the efforts. Initially, police expressed “particular concerns” for their wellbeing, suspecting that both women could have been together in Essex, an area they are reportedly connected to.
As the investigation continues, the community remains alert to the implications of this case, which highlights the tragic circumstances surrounding the Nightingales’ disappearance and the subsequent charges against Emma Nightingale.
