TWO Men have been charged with the murder of missing Dudley woman Julia Rawson.

Julia, 42, has been missing from her home since May 12.

While officers have not found her body, enquiries have led detectives to believe that she has died and a murder investigation has been launched.

Nathan Maynard-Ellis, 28, was arrested in the Dudley area on Wednesday.

He was initially held on suspicion of kidnap, and then on suspicion of murder.

Maynard-Ellis, of Mission Drive, Tipton, was yesterday charged with murder and will appear before Walsall Magistrates court today (Monday).

David Leesley, aged 23, was arrested on Friday in Dudley on suspicion of assisting an offender, and then later rearrested on suspicion of murder.

Leesley, of Dereton Close, Russell's Hall, has also been charged with murder and is appearing at the same hearing.

As part of the investigation, officers continue to search a property on Mission Drive, and a nearby canal.

Julia’s family have been kept informed of the latest developments.

Det Insp Jim Colclough, leading the investigation, said: “Extensive enquiries have led us to the strong belief that Julia has died.

“We are still working to establish the full circumstances around her disappearance, and our thoughts are with her family at what is a very traumatic time for them.”

Julia is described as 6ft tall with short tousled hair and was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, grey zip-fronted hooded top, with dark grey jeans and a black and white shoulder bag.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact officers via Live Chat, at west-midlands.police.uk, via 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.