A teenager has been charged with the murder of Keeley Bunker, whose body was discovered in Staffordshire woodland last Thursday.
Wesley Streete, 19, of no fixed address, did not enter a formal plea, speaking only to confirm his name and date of birth during a two-minute hearing at North Staffordshire Justice Centre, reports The Guardian.
But his solicitor Jason Holt told the court: “I indicate that the allegation is denied.”
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Bunker, a 20-year-old barmaid, was last seen on her way home from a concert at the O2 in Birmingham, walking in the Leyfields area of Tamworth, Staffordshire, at about 4.30am on Thursday.
Her mother posted an appeal on Facebook on Thursday, writing: “Hello has anybody seen Keeley Bunker since early hours of this morning? Please really worried.”
But that evening paramedics were called to Wigginton Park in Tamworth, following reports of a body in a stream.
The ambulance service said nothing could be done to save the woman discovered at the scene. Police say the body is that of Bunker, although formal identification has yet to take place.
Floral tributes have been left near to where the body was discovered. One message left at the scene read: “Keeley, sending you all my love, you will be missed by all.”
A fundraiser set up to help her family with funeral expenses has raised over £9,000.
One donor wrote: “So dreadfully sad that such a beautiful girl, who was a good friend to my son at school, has had life snatched away. Rest in peace beautiful girl.”
Bunker’s cousin, Sian Phillips, paid tribute on Facebook on Friday morning, saying: “Miss you always love you forever my baby cousin.”