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A body believed to be that of missing woman Maryam Hamka has been found almost 2½ years after she vanished.

Hamka’s former partner Toby Loughnane was charged with her murder in August 2021 and is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty.

Victoria Police officers recovered the remains, suspected to be those of Hamka, 36, during a search of the Cape Schanck area on the Mornington Peninsula on Monday morning. The remains are yet to be formally identified.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with Maryam’s family and friends. The past two years have been an incredibly difficult time for them, and their grief remains as raw as ever,” Assistant Commissioner Mick Frewen said.

“The investigative efforts by the missing persons squad, Crime Command and other members of Victoria Police have been tireless and extraordinary.

Toby Loughnane has pleaded not guilty to murder.Credit: YouTube

“Our members have worked under very difficult and trying conditions to ensure that every avenue of inquiry has been exhausted, so we could provide answers to Maryam’s family.

“We know this has been an incredibly difficult and traumatic time for them. We hope that this will bring the closure they need and Maryam can finally be laid to rest.”

Hamka was last seen leaving a Woolworths store in Albert Street, Brunswick on April 10, 2021, after telling family she was going to visit a friend in Brighton.

No trace of her had been found until today, although a significant stain, that police allege to be blood, was found at the bottom of the stairs in Loughnane’s Brighton home, a court has previously heard.

No DNA profile could be obtained from the sample, the court was also told.

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