The family of a teenager kidnapped and killed by a wanted sex offender believes other families will suffer the same “psychologically devastating consequences” if the parole system does not change.

Leah Croucher, 19, disappeared on her way to work on February 15, 2019. Her remains were discovered in October 2022 in a house in Milton Keynes – less than half a mile from her home.

At the inquest into her death, the coroner called for a review of the supervision of sex offenders in the community after failings were identified.

Her parents, John and Claire Croucher, said in a statement to the BBC that they were “truly appalled” that problems continued more than 15 months after her body was found.

An inquest in June concluded that Ms Croucher had been unlawfully killed by sex offender Neil Maxwell and was most likely the victim of an “unjustified sexual assault”.

Maxwell was wanted for another sexual offence at the time of Ms Croucher’s death and committed suicide while fleeing police in April 2019, two months after her disappearance.

Ms Croucher’s family said: ‘As a family we have been deeply shocked on at least three occasions – the first time when Leah disappeared, the second time when we received the horrific news that Leah had been murdered.

“Then we received the serious case review report and the probation report and, as was heard during the Leah investigation, both were full of acknowledged significant failings.”

They said it “hurt” to know that no one would be charged with their daughter’s murder.

“We are deeply appalled that we are expected to accept that, more than 15 months later, Leah’s inquest acknowledged that failures in the way sex offenders are dealt with are likely to continue today.

“Leah’s death doesn’t mean anything to people like it should. That’s what hurts the most.”

The current system is “not designed to deal with these offenders and we fear that unless these failings are adequately addressed, another family will face the same devastating consequences,” their parents added.

They said they looked forward to the response to the issues raised in the report on preventing future deaths.

The probation service had previously stated that it was “deeply sorry” for the failings identified and that it had taken steps to improve risk management for offenders.

Following the investigation in June, Thames Valley Police said there had been improvements in the police force.