'We are broken by what has happened': Son of Mackenzie Crook's missing sister-in-law reveals devastation after police find body in search for 62-year-old who vanished more than a week ago Laurel Aldridge, 62, went missing from her home in Walberton, West Sussex Ms Aldridge had been receiving cancer treatment and missed a chemo session Police have not identified the body, but Ms Aldridge's family were informed By Olivia Jones and Elizabeth Haigh Published: 08:47 EST, 25 February 2023 | Updated: 12:24 EST, 25 February 2023 e-mail 2. 5k shares 20 View comments The family of missing Laurel Aldridge, the sister-in-law of The Office star MacKenzie Crook have paid tribute to her after a body was found near her home in West Sussex. Mrs Aldridge, 62, went missing after leaving her home in Walberton, West Sussex on February 14. Sussex Police confirmed earlier today that a body had been recovered near her home. Her son, Matthew Aldridge wrote on Facebook: 'After a long and exhausting search, today we found Laurel. We can share that she was found lying in a beautiful woodland and she is now at peace. 'We will miss her every day, but we are so proud of everything she achieved in her 62 years on this earth. Laurel was a wonderful, creative, fiercely-intelligent person, who taught us all the meaning of empathy, dependability, and love. 'We as a family are broken by what has happened, but we have each other, we have our friends, and we have the support of the local community, who have so kindly rallied around us during this difficult time. We will never forget what you have done for us. 'For the time being, we are asking for privacy so that we can be together as a family and process our loss. ' Laurel Aldridge went missing from her home in Walberton, West Sussex on February 14 Mackenzie Crook launched a series of public appeals after his sister-in-law went missing last week Sussex Police dog unit vehicles at Slindon Cricket Club in Arundel, West Sussex, where Laurel Aldridge, 62, was last seen Her son, Matthew Aldridge wrote on Facebook: 'After a long and exhausting search, today we found Laurel. We can share that she was found lying in a beautiful woodland and she is now at peace' On the day she went missing, Mrs Aldridge was captured by her doorbell as she left her home, but the alarm was raised after she missed a scheduled session of chemotherapy. Ms Aldridge was last seen later that day at Slindon Cricket Club, around two-and-a-half miles away. In a statement police said: 'Sadly the body of a woman has been found in the Tortington Lane area of Arundel. 'At this stage, the family of missing Laurel Aldridge have been informed and we are seeking to confirm the identity of the woman. ' After Ms Aldridge disappeared, Mr Crook - who is best known for roles in The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Worzel Gummidge - called for the public to keep an eye out for her in the West Sussex area. Speaking this week he said: 'She left the house with nothing but what she was wearing, with no keys and no phone. She has not been seen since. 'She missed her fifth chemo session last Tuesday and we think that is what has triggered some sort of crisis in her and she has gone off for a long walk somewhere. ' 'We are really clutching at straws now after a week,' he told ITV's Good Morning Britain. Searches for Ms Aldridge have been ongoing for 11 days, before a body was found on Saturday Laurel Aldridge's family launched a major appeal to find her and asked the public to keep an eye out for the 62-year-old Laurel was last seen wearing a turquoise fleece, a maroon tartan scarf and brown hat Mr Crook's (left) wife Lindsay (right) is the sister of Mrs Aldridge. He said his family are growing worried for her wellbeing Mr Crook, whose wife Lindsay is Ms Aldridge's sister, also told ITV that her disappearance was 'very out of character' and that his family was 'obviously really worried'. He said he had seen 'nothing but determination and stoicism' from the family during the search. 'They've all gathered together and they are just driven to try and get Laurel back safely,' he said. 'At the moment everyone is containing their emotions, I'm sure the time will come for that later but right now everyone is very determined and driven. 'We've got a strong suspicion that she is in the local area but that's just a hunch we're going on. 'We can't imagine that she has gone very far afield. ' Missing posters had been put up on lampposts, tree trunks and in windows throughout Walberton. Mr Crook previously urged the public to check their gardens and outbuildings for places where Ms Aldridge may have sought overnight shelter. Photos released by police during the search showed Ms Aldridge was wearing a turquoise fleece, maroon tartan scarf and brown hat on the morning she disappeared. A large-scale police investigation had been taking place into her disappearance, with officers conducting house-to-house enquiries and specialist search dogs deployed. A police helicopter, drones and specialist teams were also used. Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges previously said: 'We would like to thank the public for the information which has been provided to us thus far. 'Our officers have been working around the clock pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and are determined to find Laurel. 'We are working closely with Laurel's family, offering them support and providing them with regular updates on the investigation. ' Share or comment on this article: Family's devastation after police find body in search for 62-year-old who vanished over a week ago e-mail 2. 5k shares Add comment Comments 20 Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have been moderated in advance. View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . Submit Comment Clear Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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