Human remains were found with Ms Croucher’s possessions at a house in Milton Keynes last week.
Image source, Thames Valley PoliceA body found in the loft of a house in Milton Keynes has been identified as teenager Leah Croucher, police said.
Thames Valley Police said a post-mortem examination was inconclusive as to the cause of death.
Last week, police began a murder investigation following the discovery of human remains and Ms Croucher’s rucksack and other possessions at the property in Loxbeare Drive in Furzton.
Ms Croucher was last seen on 15 February 2019, when she was aged 19.
“After a difficult process, we are now in a position to formally confirm that the body found in Loxbeare Drive last week is that of Leah,” said senior investigating officer Det Supt Kevin Brown.
Neil Maxwell, a convicted sex offender who was found dead two months after Ms Croucher’s disappearance, has been named as the prime suspect by police.
The 49-year-old who worked as a maintenance man for the home owner, who lives abroad, was the only person to have keys to the house when she vanished, police said.
Image source, Thames Valley Police
Last week the force said forensic examinations at the house could take “several weeks” to complete, meaning a continued police presence at the house and wider area.
Det Supt Brown said: “The grief and shock of Leah’s family and friends is unimaginable, and they have shown enormous courage, patience and dignity over the last three years and eight months while our search for Leah continued.”
“Our investigations into Leah’s murder will leave no stone unturned, and we owe it to Leah’s family to ensure we find the truth.
“We are absolutely committed to doing so, to allow them to gain an understanding of what happened to Leah.”
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk