DETECTIVES have identified the human remains found in Eastleach last month as Becky Godden-Edwards on what would have been her 29th birthday.

Officers will now quiz mini-cab driver Christopher Halliwell, 47, of Ashbury Avenue, Nythe, about Becky’s murder as he remains in custody charged with the murder of 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan.

The bones of the petite blonde were recovered from a field in Eastleach on Friday, March 25 and since then teams of forensic investigators have been sifting the national DNA database for possible matches.

The search was part of the investigation into the disappearance and murder of office worker Sian, whose body was discovered on March 24 from a ditch in Uffington, Oxfordshire.

Police were led to believe Becky’s remains had been at the site at Baxter’s Farm, in Gloucestershire, since between 2003 and 2005.

Despite being reported missing in 2007, Becky’s mum Karen Edwards still held hope that her daughter would be found as recently as July 2010 when she posted on a missing person website.

Yesterday, a joint family statement simply said: “The family is completely devastated by the news of Becky’s death and at this time wish to be left alone to grieve for our beautiful daughter.”

On the website Missingyou.net, Mrs Edwards had posted: “Karen Edwards is trying to trace the location of Becky, she has been missing for 8 years, and I need to contact her urgent or just to know that she is ok! can anyone help? She could also be in the Bristol area.”

The man leading the investigation into both deaths, Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, said the identification had been a painstaking task.

Mr Fulcher told a press conference at Gablecross Police Station yesterday: “As you are aware as part of the investigation into the death of Sian O’Callaghan, we searched a field in Eastleach in Gloucestershire where we discovered human remains.

“We have been searching the DNA database. We developed a profile from the bones recovered and we were able to provide a positive match.

“Those remains were of Rebecca Godden. It was her birthday on Monday and she would have been 29 years old.

“As you can appreciate her family and loved ones are trying to come to terms with this devastating news and we are affording them all the support we can at this stage.

“I’m sure you will join me in extending your deepest sympathy to them at this very difficult time and will appreciate that they have asked that people respect their privacy to allow them to grieve in peace.

“I can tell you that Rebecca was from the Shaw area of Swindon and she was reported to the National Missing Persons Helpline in 2007 after her family became concerned when they hadn’t had contact with her for some time.”

Mr Fulcher added that it was not clear how Becky was killed, but he thanked forensic investigators for their speed in identifying her.

“At this stage it isn’t clear how Rebecca came to meet her death but further work is on going to help us determine this,” he said.

“Inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding Becky’s disappearance and subsequent death.

“Part of these inquiries will be to speak to Chris Halliwell and then we will make a decision on any appropriate steps to take.

“What I am appealing for is for anyone who knew Rebecca Godden from 2002 onwards, who may have information to help the investigation, if they would please contact the police or indeed Crimestoppers.

"What I am interested in is Becky’s movements, her friends, her lifestyle, any small piece of information which may help me piece back together how she came to meet her death.

“I would like to thank our forensic teams and Dr James Walker and his team at LGC Forensics for giving us such a rapid and accurate identification.”

Anyone with any information should contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.