THE family of a Bradford-born woman who has been missing for more than three weeks believe she is still alive - despite a man being arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Anita Stevenson - who was last seen leaving her home in Birkenhead on October 18 - questioned a 41-year-old man as part of their enquiries.

He has been released while officers continue their investigation into Anita’s disappearance. Police forensics teams have also been working at Anita’s house.

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A spokesman for Merseyside Police said the man had been released “pending a decision on the case itself”, and added: “We are still actively searching for Anita.”

Mum-of-two Anita, 39, is originally from Bradford but moved to Merseyside about three years ago with her partner.

Her sister, Thelina Oram, said: “We still believe she is alive. I do believe she is out there, absolutely. I have not seen anything to suggest she isn’t. And until they tell us otherwise, I will keep believing.”

She added: “I just want to get a message to her that we love her and we miss her and we want her back. We want to know that she is safe, and her children want her back.

“Her three-year-old is asking for her a lot.”

Thelina said she believed Anita had no enemies, and added: “She is a very popular person.

“We just really do not know why she has gone - that is the worst bit. There is just nothing.”

Police have released CCTV footage of Anita from the day she was last seen. It shows her in the Rock Ferry area of Birkenhead, between 11.20am and 12.20pm.

Anita’s family have been going back and forth to Merseyside, handing out leaflets, and posting details on social media to try and find her.

A fundraising drive set up by a friend of Anita to help her family with the cost of travelling and printing has raised more than £720.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/find-anita-stevenson-jenni-styles.

Anyone who has seen or heard from Anita, or who knows where she is, can contact police on 0151 7772265, or the Missing People charity on 116 000. Alternatively, email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk.

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