Sabrina Goacher, 30, who lived in the town, had been missing since Sunday [August 18] when she was last seen walking home along Dunstan Road, near to Grosvenor Bridge at the bottom of Camden Road, at around 6am.
Worried family and friends contacted police after the front of house supervisor for West Kent and Ashford College, where she also worked as an events coordinator, failed to return home.
Ms Goacher, who police described as being 5ft 4ins tall and of slim build, was last seen wearing a yellow jacket and carrying a black handbag with pictures of witches on it.
On Monday night [August 19], officers were called to Tunbridge Wells at 8.47pm, after a woman’s body was discovered in a secluded wooded area off Church Road, between London Road and Mount Ephraim and next to the Common.
Church Road had been closed to all traffic since July for roadworks, and yesterday remained cordoned off as police and scenes of crime officers continued to examine the area where the body was found.
A police spokesman said officers were still waiting on the results of a post-mortem and that ‘detectives are now working to establish the cause of her death’, which was being treated as ‘unexplained’.
While officers have yet to formerly identify the body, police confirmed confirmed that Ms Goacher’s family have been informed of the discovery.
How the body was found and by whom is not yet known.
The talented young photographer was a familiar face to many in the local music scene.
She worked with a number of bands and was a regular at local festivals and music events. For the last 13 years she also worked part time at the popular Cassidy’s Sports Bar in Tunbridge Wells.
The young woman was also a local events organiser, including for the Small Charities Coalition, and she also campaigned on behalf of the homeless.
Lately she had been active in raising money for Samaritans, which she got involved with following the death of musician friend, David Saunders, a bass player with alternative rock band Sarah Tonin, who took his own life before Christmas.
Ms Goacher’s close friend, Chris Parris, who is lead singer in the band, was said to be too upset last night to comment on Sabrina’s disappearance and the discovery of a body.
Local & Live organiser, Paul Dunton, said that Sabrina was a familiar face locally, and last night told the Times: “She was very supportive of the music scene and a very talented photographer.”
Tunbridge Wells Pride, who held their annualr LGBT celebration last weekend, also commented, saying: “We are truly saddened to hear about the death of Sabrina Goacher. Our love and sincere support go out to all her friends and family.”
Amy Carr, who worked with Sabrina at West Kent college added on Facebook: “I didn’t know her very well but she was lovely to work with for the time that we did at West Kent college.
“Thoughts for those that loved and knew her. Really sad! Can’t believe it. RIP Sabrina.”
Staff and students at the college, where she had been ‘the first person you saw when you walked in’ for the last three years, were coming to terms with the tragic news last night.
The talented young photographer studied at both West Kent College, gaining a National Diploma in Photography, and the University College for Creative Arts, where she achieved a BA in the same subject.
She was not only a music photographer, but also recently visited Stone Henge for the summer solstice, posting images on her professional Facebook page, Sabrina G Photography.
She was also a keen runner, taking part in the Tonbridge Half Marathon.
It is the second discovery of a body in woodland in Tunbridge Wells in recent months.
Two weeks ago the Times reported on a Crowborough salesman, Colin Smithers, 38, who was found hanged in woodland near to Hungershall Park in June.
