AN investigation into the death of a Thai woman who was found by walkers near Penyghent in 2004 has reopened in Thailand.

A small team of cold case detectives and family liaison officers from North Yorkshire Police have arrived in the country to meet the parents and other family members of Lamduan Armitage (nee Seekanya) who, until she was identified in 2019, was knows as the 'Lady of the Hills'.

North Yorkshire Police’s ‘Lady of the Hills’ case heads to Thailand Lamduan’s body was found at Sell Gill, above Horton in Ribblesdale, on September 20, 2004.

Her identity remained unknown until early 2019 when the force’s Major Investigation Team’s Cold Case Review Unit achieved a breakthrough using a combination of media coverage and DNA testing.

A BBC Online article about the case in the January of that year was brought to the attention of Lamduan’s parents in Udon Thani, north-east Thailand.

They came forward believing the woman could be their daughter who they had not seen since 2004.

DNA testing was carried out which confirmed the woman to be Lamduan who would now be aged 55.

It was established that she was a married mother of three who was living in northern England at the time of her unexplained death.

However, there were delays for the investigation team to receive legal authority to go to Thailand.

They were further hampered by international travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning this part of the investigation has been put on hold for almost four years.

Adam Harland, Manager of the Cold Case Review Unit, said: “Despite the difficulties we have faced to progress the investigation in recent years, we remain determined to seek answers for Lamduan’s family about the circumstances of her being found dead in a beautiful but remote part of the Yorkshire Dales in September 2004.

“We are hoping to speak with all the members of her family, including her husband, to gather their evidence about her life.

“The loss of any family member in circumstances of homicide is a terrible blow, bringing a misery and a sense of loss that so often lasts a lifetime.

“We thank the Thai authorities for their co-operation with the investigation, and for the support we are receiving from law enforcement agencies in Thailand and United Kingdom. 

“We will also be consulting with all the family members about a request that Lamduan’s remains be returned to her family in Thailand in accordance with their Buddhist faith."