Friends of a murdered homeless woman who had been wearing a gaffer tape mask before her remains were found washed up on an island have slammed police for not bringing anybody to justice for the death.
Angela Millington, 33, vanished from Southend-on-Sea in Essex 11 years ago this month.
Her remains were found on Foulness Island in June that year but DNA tests did not identify her until more than a month later.
Only a few hundred people live on the island, which is separated from the mainland by narrow creeks and is difficult to get to.
Experts believe she did not die on the island but that is where her remains were found.
It was a crime which shocked the nation, and despite two men previously being arrested and questioned over the murder – nobody has ever been formally charged.
Angela lived what police described as a ‘chaotic’ lifestyle, and was known among the town’s street drinkers and homeless.
Her brutal demise, described as ‘horrific’ by friends, has raised fears among friends and family of something ‘extremely sinister’.
Angela Millington, 33, vanished from Southend-on-Sea in Essex 11 years ago this month
The murdered homeless woman had been wearing a gaffer tape mask (pictured) before her remains were found washed up on an island
Miss Millington’s remains were found on the marshes of Foulness Island (pictured)
One family friend said: ‘Angela was a very nice woman. The way she died is like a scene from some serious crime drama. It’s horrific.
‘How could this happen? And how has nobody been brought to justice? It is abhorrent.
‘This should have been given much more prominence by police. Angela has been forgotten.
‘If she was not homeless and had a better lifestyle which was considered more normal, I think more would have been done.
‘But she was from a forgotten society and people simply do not care. That’s the brutal truth.
‘I cannot understand who would do this to her and in this way. It’s sinister and very calculating.’
One of her friends, who often sleeps rough, said Essex Police should be doing more.
The woman, who gave her name as Patricia, 54, said: ‘I knew Angela. It’s so sad.’
A coroner recorded an open verdict over Angela Millington’s death at an inquest
The gaffer tape mask which was found on the victim’s face is shown on a mannequin
One friend said: ‘It is a very cruel and calculated death.’ The gaffer tape mask is pictured
She continued: ‘How does something like this happen? How can they get away with this? It’s sickening.
‘This is not just an argument gone wrong. Whoever did this has clearly taken the time to try and hide all the evidence.
‘It is a very cruel and calculated death.’
Another said: ‘Angela often talked of starting a family.
‘She could have done that if she had been able to sort her issues out.
‘Why are the police so quiet?’
Originally, after human bones were found in salt marshes on the island, a full search was carried out and further bones were found.
A coroner recorded an open verdict over the death at an inquest.
The last official sighting of her was on November 21 when she met a housing officer in nearby Westcliff.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: ‘The case to determine how Angela Millington died remains unsolved.
Miss Millington, 33, was found on Foulness Island in Essex (pictured) in June 2014, but DNA results did not identify her until more than a month later
Police and forensic experts examine the crime scene on Foulness Island, Essex, in 2014
Foulness Island is a large expanse of marshland separated from the mainland by a large number of creeks
‘Angela’s body was found washed up on Foulness Island on Saturday June 21, 2013.
‘It is still not known how the 33-year-old, who lived in Southend, died or how long she had been there. Essex Police has always treated her death as suspicious.
‘Some bones were discovered by a group of ramblers as they walked on the island.
‘They called police shortly after 1.45pm on that day after they spotted what they thought were human remains in a salt marsh area.
‘A full search of the island also took place and further skeletal bones were located.
‘Extensive forensic and DNA tests had to be carried out to identify the body as Angela.
‘Whenever someone dies we investigate it as fully as we are able to, regardless of who they are or what their background is.
‘We have carried out a series of enquiries to try and establish how Angela died, when, and if someone else was responsible, who they are.
‘As with all unsolved cases, Essex Police remains committed to finding the answers to Angela’s death.’
Anyone with information about what happened to Angela can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers in the strictest confidence on 0800 555 111.