UPDATE: Missing Samantha: Police granted more time to question man arrested on suspicion of murder

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said: "Detectives this morning, on Monday, January 26, have been granted a further extension until Tuesday evening to question a 27-old-man also from the Corfe Castle area on suspicion of murder.

"Samantha's whereabouts still remain unknown. Searches of the local area continue this morning."

Police and forensic teams were last night scouring a wooded area in Purbeck for clues in the search for missing mum-of-four Samantha Henderson.

At least six police cars are parked close to the Norden farm shop on the A351 between Corfe Castle and Wareham and officers are shining flashlights into the wooded area on the side of the road.

An officer speaking at the scene said the road will remain open, but is partially blocked by police vehicles.

Shortly before 8pm a scientific investigation van arrived.

Police shone floodlights into a woodland at the side of road while forensic officers examined the scene.

At around 8pm officers cordoned off an area around 100m from the main road.

Matt Clarke, manager at the bed and breakfast at Norden Farm, said there has been a strong police presence in area throughout the weekend.

He said several officers and sniffer dogs had been out searching paths, woodland and fields surrounding the farm.

He said: "There were some police vans and some undercover police cars. They went down the paths with the dogs in the afternoon."

The 33-year-old said everyone in the village was devastated by Samantha's disappearance.

"Nothing like this goes on around here," he said.

"I've got a six-year-old little girl and I know how much she loves her mum. Samantha has four children. It's just really sad."

It comes after Dorset Police renewed their appeal for the public's help in tracing missing Corfe Castle mum Samantha.

They want to trace the movements of the 25-year-old's car last week and have released a picture of her blue Peugeot 307 Estate with the registration HV04 ZFM.

The car was seized from her home address at Halves Cottage in Corfe Castle but police want information from the public to help them trace the car's movements between 3pm on Wednesday January 21 and 10.25am on Thursday January 22. See picture below:

Samantha, who is the mother of four young children aged between one and six, was reported missing on Thursday morning.

Police were told she left her her home in Halves Cottage in Corfe Castle at 4.30pm the previous day.

Following initial investigations, police said on Friday night a 27-year-old man from Corfe Castle and who is known to her, was arrested on suspicion of her murder. However, her whereabouts are unknown.

The renewed appeal comes as police confirm they have received a Magistrates extension to continue to question a 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion on murder.

Detective Inspector Mark Samuel, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We have not found Samantha yet and are gravely concerned about her, fearing that she may have come to some harm. Our search for Samantha is continuing and we are desperate for any information about her whereabouts.

“We have seized Samantha’s car from her home address but are very keen for any information about the movement of it between 3pm on Wednesday 21 January 2015 and 10.25am on Thursday 22 January 2015. It is a blue Peugeot 307 Estate with the registration HV04 ZFM.

“Anyone who has seen this car during the week being driven or parked somewhere should contact Dorset Police. All calls will be treated in strictest confidence.”

Officers said that at the time when Samantha was last seen, she was said to have worn a pink jumper or coat and light blue jeans. She is believed to have been wearing her long blonde hair up in a ponytail.

Dorset Police are continuing their investigations including forensic experts examining Samantha’s home address in Corfe Castle. Searches have also been carried out in the area surrounding Halves Cottage, including a nearby common area and allotments. Aerial searches have also been carried out in the Corfe Castle area by the police helicopter.

DI Samuel continued: “We have obtained a Magistrate’s extension for the custody of the arrested 27-year-old man on suspicion of her murder which currently runs until tomorrow morning.

“Samantha’s disappearance is completely out of character as she has never gone missing before leaving her four young children.

“We urgently want to hear from anyone who has seen Samantha after 3pm on Wednesday 21 January 2015, had contact with her whether by phone or social media or has any information of her whereabouts.

“We are keeping an open mind about what may have happened to Samantha but are fearing the worst. We need the public’s help and anyone with information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, should call Dorset Police as soon as possible.”

Samantha Henderson’s house in Corfe Castle

Yesterday Samantha's family appealed to the public for their help.

In a statement, Samantha’s family said: “Sam is a homely, private, loving mother of four children aged six, four, two and one.

“She is hard-working, always presentable and this is completely out of character for her. She would never walk out and leave her children. If anyone knows where she is or what has happened, please contact the police.”

Samantha’s family have also made a direct appeal to her: “No one is upset or thinks anything badly of you Sam. We just want you to come home as everyone wants to help and support you.”

Detectives leading the major investigation say the last confirmed reported sighting of Samantha is at around 3pm on Wednesday outside Corfe Castle Primary School in East Street.

She was said to be wearing a pink jumper or coat and light blue jeans. She is believed to have been wearing her long blonde hair up in a ponytail.

Detectives revealed further details about the investigation at a media briefing at Poole police station. Watch a video here.

Extensive investigations are ongoing, including forensic experts examining Samantha’s home. Searches have also been carried out in the area surrounding Halves Cottage, including a nearby common area and allotments. Aerial searches have also been carried out in the Corfe Castle area by a police helicopter.

Detective Inspector Neil Devoto, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We are extremely concerned for Samantha and while we are hoping for the best, sadly we believe she may have come to some harm.

“We have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of her murder and he is currently being questioned. We do not know at this time Samantha’s whereabouts.

“Samantha’s disappearance is completely out of character. She has never gone missing before and, from what we understand, it is almost unfathomable that she would have left her four young children.

“We also know that Samantha made heavy use of her mobile phone and social media and I would urge anyone who has had any correspondence with her since 3pm on Wednesday to call Dorset Police.

“Our investigations are focused on establishing exactly what has happened to Samantha between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. I would ask anyone who has seen or heard from Samantha since Wednesday afternoon to contact us.

“I am calling on the public to check their garages, garden sheds and outbuildings in the area in the event Samantha may have taken refuge and fallen unwell.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who we haven’t spoken to already and who may have information that could assist us.

“All calls will be treated in confidence.”

Samantha is described as white, five feet three inches tall, of a very slim build and with long blonde hair.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting Operation Cavalier. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111