Families' horror as Sandwell woman Lidia Pascale's body hidden in wheelie bin

Police made the grim discovery in Hope Street, West Bromwich, more than two weeks after the 26-year-old disappeared.

She was last seen in High Street in West Bromwich and detectives launched a murder investigation a week later.

A house on High Street has been cordoned off since last Friday, and three vehicles have been seized as police look for evidence.

Yesterday, police found a body in a black wheelie bin in Hope Street, only 100 metres from the cordoned off home.

The body is yet to be officially identified.

Neighbours Eugene Roberts, aged 90, and Andrew Stevenson, 46, live behind where the bin had been positioned.

They say it appeared on November 20.

Mr Stevenson said: "We all saw it and asked each other who the bin belonged, but no one knew where it had come from. It had no number on and it was just left out on the pavement.We didn't think much more of it until the police turned up.

"It's very disturbing to think a body was inside it, we were walking past it every day without knowing."

He added: "It's very sad what has happened, I've never known anything like this.

"You know there is crime everywhere, but you don't expect it on your doorstep."

A 30-year-old woman, who lived in Hope Street, but did not want to be named, said: "I've never seen so many police about anywhere. They are looking everywhere. It's sickening to hear a body was in the bin. I hope they catch those responsible."

Marcus O'Connor, 23, of High Street, said: "This is ridiculous. Why would someone have so little respect for life to put a body in a bin? No way."

Police closed Hope Street off yesterday afternoon to remove the bin, it reopened shortly before 3pm.

Officers continued interviewing residents and searching the area.

Matthew Cherrington, 32 and Thomas Ricketts, 37, have been charged with Lidia's murder and have been remanded whilst inquiries are ongoing.

Chief Superintendent Mark Payne said: "Following searches of the local area we can confirm we have found a body of a woman. An area of Hope Street has been cordoned off whilst forensic experts search the area.

"We are still in the early stages of identifying the woman. I would also like to take this opportunity to urge anyone in the area who saw any suspicious activity recently to call me or one of the team.

"Specialist officers will continue to liaise with Lidia's family and our thoughts are with them at this sad time."

Lidia moved to the UK from Romania a year ago. She lived at an address in Smethwick.