Norma Girolami, from Highgate, was last seen in August 2021 and police launched a murder investigation in October. He had visited Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on August 19, taking a train from Barking and returning to London later that day. All communication with her stopped that night. Police recovered human remains from the churchyard in Friern Barnet Lane on November 1. They have been officially identified as belonging to Girolami and her family has been informed. Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn said: “Despite accepting that Norma was no longer alive, I know her family are deeply affected by the news that her remains have been found. Our thoughts are very much with them. “My team spent more than a year searching for Norma and there is a sense of relief that we have found her remains, which will be forensically examined in due course.” Police have urged Girolami’s friends, family and acquaintances to get in touch, as well as any witnesses who visited the churchyard at the time of her death. “I would still very much like to hear from anyone who knew Norma, either in London or Leigh-on-Sea, who can provide information about anything going on in her life last August. I am also appealing for anyone who saw any activity around the churchyard at Friern Barnet Lane N20 between August and October last year. “Norma’s family and friends endured a year without knowing what had happened to her and our investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, no matter how small a detail it may seem, please contact us.” Anyone with information should call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC. Anyone who would prefer not to speak to the police can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
