Man, 32, charged with murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood
Police have charged a man with the murder of midwife Samantha Eastwood, whose body was discovered over the weekend.
Michael Stirling, 32, from Cromer Road, Stoke-on-Trent, will appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court on Monday, Staffordshire Police said.
The body of the 28-year-old was found by officers near Caverswall on Saturday - eight days after Ms Eastwood was reported missing.
Detectives investigating the death of 28-year-old Samantha Eastwood have tonight charged a man with her murder. https://t.co/EBmRKS9Sk2pic.twitter.com/vx7uRHCtFe
-- Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) August 5, 2018
The midwife was last seen in uniform leaving work at Royal Stoke Hospital at 7.45am on Friday July 27.
Two other men, aged 28 and 60, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.
In a statement released by Staffordshire Police, Ms Eastwood's family thanked supporters for their efforts.
Samantha's family have thanked all those who have supported them over the last week. In a statement they asked for their privacy and said: "We would like to say 'thank you' to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help." https://t.co/RUTWI2cDN7pic.twitter.com/4zrPiPnZMq
-- Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) August 5, 2018
They said: "The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.
"We would like to say 'thank you' to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help."
A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday, but further tests are required.