Emma Bunton's pet dog Phoebe was found dead on railway tracks after a member of the public alerted a search team, it was reported today.
Former police officer Tom Watkins, who was enlisted to help find the missing dog, said he thought the accident occurred on Monday shortly after the dog went missing.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "‘That is where she was found, lying between the tracks. It is very sad but at least now the family have closure. Network Rail was contacted and a worker went on to the track and retrieved the body.
‘She must have slipped under the fence and been hit by a train. I believe the accident happened on Monday, shortly after she went missing.’
He added: "Phoebe is now with her owners."
Emma tweeted yesterday to her 892,000 followers: "To all the amazing people who supported us at this horrible time Our precious phoebe has been found and its terrible news, we are devastated".
She was being walked with Miss Bunton's other dog, Jojo on Monken Hadley Common in Barnet when she ran out of sight and never returned on Monday.
Emma's long-term partner Jade Jones wrote on Twitter: "Thank you everyone for your amazing support. Our precious Phoebe has been found and its terrible news. Devastated.. Love you Phoebe always.X"
Other celebrities including Myleene Klass joined a massive online effort to locate the dog.
