THE husband of a Harrogate woman missing since 1997 has told how the discovery of a body near the town had brought his family fresh heartache.

Colin Wray said the tragic finding of 16-year-old Leanne Tiernan, from Leeds, had also renewed his desperation to know what has happened to his wife, Marsha.

Leanne's body was discovered in woodland between Harrogate and Otley, West Yorkshire, on Monday.

But, until the body was identified yesterday, there was speculation that it could have been the body of Mr Wray's wife.

"I still wonder what has happened to Marsha," said Mr Wray, who lives in Harrogate.

"We've still got her car in the drive, and her belongings are still in the house. Obviously I want answers so that we can get on with our lives."

Marsha Wray, who has two children who live with her husband, disappeared in January 1997.

Her red Metro car was seen only days later parked at the Nidd Valley Gorge, near Knaresborough.

It was then moved to Headingley, although who moved it remains a mystery.

Mr Wray has been questioned by police about her disappearance, but has always protested his innocence.

He said today: "I was not even told that this body had been found.

"I haven't had any contact with the police for a long time, and we're just trying to get on with our lives now."

Leanne Tiernan had been missing since returning to Bramley, Leeds, after a shopping trip last November. She was last seen only metres from her home.

The officer leading the investigation into Leanne's death, Detective Superintendent Chris Gregg, was today to give an update on developments in the case.

Detectives believed the 16-year-old, of Bramley, Leeds, who has been missing since November last year, had been strangled.

Her body was discovered by a man walking his dog in undergrowth in Lindley Wood, North Yorkshire, on Monday afternoon.

Detectives said that the body had been found in plastic bags which had been wrapped in a quilt cover. Initial investigations revealed no evidence of sexual interference, officers said - adding that the body had not been buried, but was concealed in undergrowth and was clothed.

Det Supt Gregg, of West Yorkshire Police, said he believed Leanne had been killed somewhere else and her body dumped at the isolated beauty spot.

He said her parents, Sharon Hawkhead and Michael Tiernan, who are separated, were devastated when told the body was that of their daughter.

The press briefing was being held at the conference suite of Millgarth Police Station in Leeds, and Leanne's family were expected to make a short statement, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said.

Updated: 10:20 Thursday, August 23, 2001