HUMAN remains have been discovered in the search for a mum who vanished 20 years ago.

Malgorzata Wnuczek, from Leicester, disappeared on her way back from work in May 2006 at the age of 27.

Malgorzata Wnuczek, a blonde woman wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt with a pink flamingo design.
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Malgorzata Wnuczek disappeared on her way back from work in May 2006Credit: SWNS

A blue tent with the Leicestershire Police logo and images of "Volunteers in Policing" standing in a field with trees in the background.
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A tent was set up in the search area after police recovered human remains from the scrublandCredit: SWNS

Illustration detailing the timeline and locations involved in the disappearance and discovery of a woman's body in Leicester, UK.
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Specialist officers made the grim discovery while searching land off Great Central Way – a walking and cycle route near The River Soar.

A large police presence remains at the scene today, with a cordon put in place around the site and a tent set up in the search area.

The Polish national has not been seen for nearly 20 years and a probe into her disappearance failed to find any trace of her.

Malgorzata had a daughter named Ola, who was three at the time of her mother’s disappearance.

A search of scrubland near Great Central Way started on September 30 after Brit cops received information from police in Poland.

Forensic tests are being carried out to identify whether the remains belong to the missing mum.

Officers are continuing to search the site where the remains were found in the hopes of turning up more clues.

Leicestershire Police Det Sgt Jenni Greenway, the senior investigating officer, said: “While I appreciate this news may come as a shock to the community, I hope this discovery will provide us with information that helps us understand what may or may not have happened to Malgorzata.

“Officers are in contact with her family and are providing support to them at what is undoubtedly a difficult time.

“Officers will remain in the Watkin Road area to carry out further work and also provide reassurance to those living nearby.”

Woman in white tank top holding a baby in blue overalls.
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Malgorzata has a daughter named Ola, who was three at the time of her disappearance

Police tape across a metal fence next to a path with a digger in the background.
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Officers have cordoned off the area where the remains were unearthedCredit: leicestershire Live/BPM Media

Police tape, reading "POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS," blocks a wooded area with fallen leaves.
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Cops are yet to identify the remains but said Malgorzata’s family is being supportedCredit: leicestershire Live/BPM Media
Malgorzata was last seen getting on a bus in Sunningdale Road, Braunstone Frith, to travel into Leicester after work on May 31, 2006.

Her heartbroken family in Poland, who referred to her as Gosia, last heard from her via text message two days before she boarded the bus.

Ten years after she vanished, in 2016, her loved ones made a joint appeal with police for information, but it failed to turn anything up.

A £10,000 reward was offered by police, but only seven people ever responded.

In June 2023, Polish police provided information to the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) which resulted in searches of the River Soar.

The search took place over several days between the bridges in Mill Lane and Upperton Road.

Police divers spent days scouring the River Soar for personal possessions or potentially a body – but nothing was found.

During the 20-year-long hunt for the missing mother, a 39-year-old man was arrested in Greater Manchester on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

He was taken into custody in 2023 but was later released with no further action.