Margaret Fleming- missing for 17 years?!

[Beebeeeight]

A woman with learning disabilities was reported missing 6 weeks ago, apparently after the DWP knocked on her door.

She lived with 2 carers and was reported to be a recluse.

But now it is being reported that no one else has seen her since 1999 and the police are digging up the garden.

I know mn has rules about not speculating but

What I don't get is, that man is clearly not very bright. You can tell from watching him speak. He is no genius. So surely if there were holes in his story they would have been Sussed already. And the woman that doesn't speak is screaming "I'm saying nothing for fear of dropping myself in it" I can't understand how they've managed to keep her disappearance quiet for 17 years. Is everyone around them a fool??

I agree NoCry and I believe the police have charged people in the past without finding a body. So it makes little sense.
The story is inconsistent isn't it? No doubt the detectives are analysing this interview, hopefully that will mean they are nearer to forming some kind of conclusion.
My knowledge of police investigations is based on TV programmes.
It's just such a heartbreaking situation, poor Margaret.

Their house is quite isolated, and they could easily choose to shop in the nearby big town of Greenock or even Glasgow, avoiding their local community altogether.

I imagine the police are analysing the clip with various body language experts etc. The female carer's face at the end when she's asked a question and doesn't speak....

I'm reminded of the Shanon Matthews case where the police arranged the press conference in order to watch the mum and step dad without them thinking they were under suspicion when actually the police knew all along but just couldn't prove it. It must be so frustrating for the police in these cases.

It's really telling that she doesn't speak isn't it. She can't speak for fear of giving herself away.

Yes exactly. That man carer claims he has spoken to Margaret on the telephone since she allegedly went missing but when pressed he can't remember when. As if. So many holes but no evidence.

Well his phone records would confirm that wouldn't it? I assume the police have followed that up.

What would you say to Margaret?

Radio Silence

Why is this not front page news?

Another thought is that she didn't say anything because she knows there is no Margaret to say anything to. Her subconscious overrode her conscious brain.

Well yes, that's how I saw it.
I assume M was known to SS, being a vulnerable adult. How does someone like this fall through the cracks. Apart from everything else, that needs to be answered.

Yes exactly. I though vulnerable people like margaret were assigned social workers but perhaps I have got that wrong.

Also I'm no body language expert but did you see how much that guy was blinking?? Classic liar behaviour. He could barely keep his eyes open!!

Frightening to think that people can be sent to carers and then just dissapear for so long

I wonder if it was because she was legally an adult that SS didn't check up on her welfare? Still not good enough though. Vulnerable people are still vulnerable over 18!

I would be interested to know how this couple where/are perceived by the local community. Have they just flew under the radar or have they a string of weird social interactions? People capable of awful things usually show some signs. No?

Well they sound very odd. Their house was not fit for human habitation apparently.

The room Margaret had apparently been living in until an hour before the DWP turned up was filled 3 feet high with literal rubbish. Bags of rubbish, paperwork under the floorboards. The police couldn't get into the room so had to access it by removing the exterior wall. But Margaret was living in it. Apparently.

I saw that interview on the news last night. Someone who has serious learning difficulties working in Poland as a gang master. Righto.

I read in the article that the house is to be demolished as not fit for human habitation.

It seems so utterly improbable that she was living there until recently & is now working as a gang master.

It's making a mockery out of the police. How the hell has she been seen by nobody other than her carers in 17 years?
I feel angry on behalf of Margaret, I think somebody needs to, her own family seem to not give a damn. Hopefully if she is living happy and cared for somewhere, the police will trace her.

I think I can tell you why she wasn’t missed sadly.

My friend has several health issues requiring 44hrs of personal assistance/care per week. Two months ago her Carer left and she was without Carers until she was able to sort things out. She has employed her nephew to provide some of the care (he mainly helps with her 3 yr old and housework) and myself part time to help support her mental health issues.

It’s been two months and during this time social services have not come near nor by to check on her or to see if the Carers she has employed are suitable. They eventually came in last week while I was there but only because I got on the phone and insisted that they come and formalise stuff.

As it is she receives direct payments each month to pay Carers. Once a year she has to send statements in to prove that she has paid out the cash for that care. Beyond that there is no contact and seemingly no interest in whether the Carers are up to the job they are being paid for. Likewise my friend has no idea about being an employer....something I am now helping her with.

Frankly if people are being manipulated and exploited I am not surprised. I suspect poor Margaret is long dead and is probably not the only one out there who has been exploited by others.

This is an old thread. I'm sure the investigation will have moved forward by now.

Yes it's an old thread but it really hasn't - the missing woman has still not been located and we are no further forward in knowing when she disappeared or where she is now.

Saw this story this morning and thought there may be a thread on it. It's such a bizarre and sad situation. Same questions as everyone on here. Poor woman

Very strange. Makes you wonder if something happened in 1999 rather than more recently, which could be why the police are struggling to find anything concrete.