A BODY found last week in the search for missing Dudley woman Julia Rawson has been formally identified as the 42-year-old, police have confirmed.

Police have said today that a post-mortem examination on a body found in Tipton on June 12 by specialist officers confirmed the identity as Julia Rawson.

The cause of death has not been determined, police added.

Julia was last seen in Dudley town centre on May 12 and her disappearance sparked a police hunt, with officers searching canals in Dudley and Tipton.

A police spokeswoman said: "A post-mortem examination on a body found last week in Tipton has revealed the identification as missing Dudley woman Julia Rawson. A cause of death has not yet been determined. Enquiries continue."

Two men have been charged with her murder.