On 27th June 1998, 16 year old Carmel Fenech, also known as Carmel Pendry, who lived in Moyne Road, Broadfield, Crawley, was reported missing to Sussex Police.  It is now almost 25 years since Carmel has been seen and Police believe Carmel has been murdered. Enquiries are continuing.

Police discovered that Carmel had last been seen leaving Camberwell Green Magistrates Court in South London, on 21st May 1998, with an unknown male. When, by the following month, Carmel had not returned home her mother reported her missing.

Since then police enquiries have focused on the South London area where Carmel and her family had previously lived on the North Peckham Estate, before moving to Crawley less than a year before she disappeared. Carmel had many friends in that area and nearby in Brixton and Stockwell.  She had few contacts or friends in Crawley and virtually all the information received suggests that Carmel frequented the Brixton and Stockwell areas prior to her disappearance.

Detective Inspector Chris Rambour said, "Carmel's disappearance has had widespread media attention and other publicity over many years and although no trace of her possible whereabouts has ever been found, her disappearance has not been forgotten. Further lines of enquiry in London were identified by recent reviews and we have been working with the Metropolitan Police to examine these and pursue them where possible, although so far they have not led to any significant developments. We have also been keeping in touch with Carmel's mother, Deidre, and have fully discussed the case with her. She will be kept informed of any developments. Together, we and Deidre hope that this renewed appeal, combined with the enquiries we are still carrying out, will jog memories and consciences in South London. The answer is out there and we really want to find out what has happened, to help achieve justice and closure for her family, even after all these years. We particularly want to identify and speak to the male Carmel was last seen with on 21st May 1998 at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court, as they may be able to provide with information that will assist us with locating her. We will always examine and wherever possible follow up any other new information that may lead to new lines of enquiry.”