Samantha Eastwood: Michael Stirling, 32, charged with midwife's murder appears in court

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A man charged with the murder of midwife Samantha Eastwood has appeared in court.

Michael Stirling, 32, from Stoke-on-Trent, who is reported to be the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood's ex-fiance, was not required to enter any pleas during a three-minute hearing at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court.

The body of the 28-year-old midwife was found by officers near Caverswall on Saturday – eight days after Ms Eastwood was reported missing.

She had been last seen in uniform leaving work at Royal Stoke Hospital at 7.45am on Friday 27 July.

Two other men, aged 28 and 60, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

The charge states that Stirling allegedly murdered Ms Eastwood between July 26 and August 5 at Baddeley Green.

No members of Ms Eastwood's family were present at the short hearing.

In an earlier statement released by Staffordshire Police, Ms Eastwood's family thanked supporters for their efforts.

They said: "The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.

"We would like to say 'thank you' to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help."

A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday, but further tests are required.

The search for Ms Eastwood's body involved dozens of officers and police dogs, which had been scouring an area using large sticks to search bushes.

Nigel Potts, who owns a neighbouring farm, said he had witnessed a large police presence at a nearby disused quarry on Saturday morning.

"It seems that that's where the main focus of the search is. They've been down here for three days," the 53-year-old said.

Ms Eastwood's colleagues raised concerns at 7.20pm on the same day she was last seen after she failed to show up for her next shift.

Ms Eastwood's sister, Gemma Eastwood, had made a tearful appeal for help in tracing Samantha on Friday, saying: "We miss you very much, we need you home where you belong.

"If she's out there, or anyone knows where she is, please get in touch.

"Get her home."

Additional reporting by PA