Boyfriend of missing Leanne Chambers speaks of fears

Feb 27 2010 by Sophie Doughty, The Journal

THE devastated boyfriend of missing Leanne Chambers last night spoke of his fears that his depressed partner would not be found.

Steven Crossland was clinging on to the last grains of hope as he faced another night at home without his beloved girlfriend.

Leanne, 30, has not been seen since she slipped out of the house she shares with Steven, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, late on Tuesday night.

The sales-coordinator, who has battled depression for a number of years had taken a turn for the worse after receiving a letter telling her she must be assessed by a doctor to see if she is fit to return to work.

But when Steven went to bed on Tuesday night leaving Leanne watching television with a bottle of wine, he had no idea it could be the last time he saw his partner.

Yet, the 35-year-old is now fearing the worst after Leanne’s coat and purse were found in the River Wear, and her mobile phone was discovered discarded at Chester-le-Street’s Riverside Park.

“I can’t help thinking the worst now, because no one has seen her,” he said. “I’m absolutely devastated but I’m just hoping and praying she is OK. I’m still holding on to some hope because I have got to, but I am fearing the worst.”

Steven met Leanne two-and-a-half years ago at car parts supplier Calsonic Kansei, in Washington, where they both work.

But as the couple grew closer Steven soon realised that behind her witty, bubbly, fun-loving exterior, Leanne was fighting a private battle with depression. In recent weeks she had been off work and on medication for her condition. She had been due to have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday to assess whether or not she was fit to return to work.