Detectives investigating the disappearance of a Dudley woman have arrested two people on suspicion of her murder.

Julia Rawson, 42, has been missing from her home since 12 May and, while officers have not found her body, enquiries have led detectives to believe that she has died, and a murder investigation has been launched.

A 29-year-old man was arrested in the Dudley area on Wednesday - he was initially held on suspicion of kidnap, and then on suspicion of murder. Officers have been granted a number of extensions to question him.

A second man, aged 23, was arrested on Friday in Dudley on suspicion of assisting an offender and then later rearrested on suspicion of murder. Officers have also been given an extension by magistrates to question him further.

As part of the investigation, officers have been searching a property on Mission Drive, in Tipton, and a nearby canal. Julia’s family have been kept informed of the latest developments.

Anyone with information on Julia’s disappearance has been asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, quoting log 1630 of 13 May, or via 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.