EXCLUSIVE: Leaving the local police station, how the mother of murdered teacher Stephanie Scott's accused killer is helping police with the investigation

  • The mother of Stephanie Scott's accused murderer is assisting police
  • Anika Stanford visited Leeton Police Station on Thursday for 45 minutes 
  • Ms Stanford and her eldest son led police to Ms Scott's body
  •  School cleaner Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with her murder 
  • The school teacher's funeral was held in Eugowra in NSW's central-west 
  • Service was held at the same venue where she was set to wed fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley 

The mother of accused killer Vincent Stanford is helping detectives investigating the death of beloved teacher Stephanie Scott, who was buried in an emotional funeral service on Wednesday.

Wearing a striped grey shirt and black pants with a orange backpack flung over one shoulder, Anika Stanford arrived at Leeton Police Station on Thursday morning to meet with police officers.

She left 45 minutes later with a detective in a silver sedan and was taken back to the home she shared with her son, Vincent, and another son, Luke.

Ms Stanford is believed to have given police information which led them to a road in the Cocoparra National Park, where they discovered Ms Scott's burnt remains on April 10, five days after she went missing.

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Anika Stanford (pictured), the mother of Stephanie Scott's accused killer Vincent Stanford, is assiting police with the murder case against her son

Anika Stanford (pictured), the mother of Stephanie Scott's accused killer Vincent Stanford, is assiting police with the murder case against her son

Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with the Easter Sunday murder of Ms Scott, who disappeared the weekend before her wedding to fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley. He will next appear in Griffith Court by video link on June 4

Stanford moved to the Netherlands aged two or three with his mother and brothers, before returning to Australia later in his life.

The family has lived in the Leeton area for just 14 months, where Vincent Stanford worked as a cleaner at the same school where the much-loved Ms Scott taught English and Drama.

When Daily Mail Australia knocked on the door of the Stanford's Maiden Avenue home on Thursday nobody answered, but it was understood two people were inside at the time.

Ms Stanford's visit to the police station comes after the beloved teacher's family buried her in an emotional funeral at the venue she was supposed to be married.

The touching celebration of the teacher's life saw hundreds of friends, family, and mourners travel to Eugowra’s Eat Your Greens function centre, the place where she was supposed to marry her fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley.

Ms Stanford was taken back to the home she shares with Vincent and brother Luke by a detective

The family have lived in Leeton (pictured) for just 14 months, and previously lived in the Netherlands 

The family have lived in Leeton (pictured) for just 14 months, and previously lived in the Netherlands 

Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with the murder of Ms Scott, who was last seen at Leeton High School on Easter Sunday

Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with the murder of Ms Scott, who was last seen at Leeton High School on Easter Sunday

A memorial service for Ms Scott, 26, took place in Eugowra in NSW's central west on Wednesday, at the venue where her wedding was due to be held

A memorial service for Ms Scott, 26, took place in Eugowra in NSW's central west on Wednesday, at the venue where her wedding was due to be held

At the service her sister, Kim, shared humorous childhood memories of Ms Scott with the crowd and painted a picture of someone with a strong sense of who she was.

'Steph never cared what anyone thought of her,' Kim said.

'She had an easy way about her that meant she could get along with anyone.' 

Mr Leeson-Woolley looked visibly distressed throughout the service, held just outside the town of Eugowra in New South Wales' central west.

Leeton Shire Mayor Paul Maytom told Daily Mail Australia Anika Stanford had been helpful to police but could not expand on it any more. 

The pair recently met for coffee and during their conversation earlier this week, Cr Maytom said he had offered friendship and support to Anika.

Ms Stanford met with Leeton Shire Mayor Paul Maytom ahead of Ms Scott's funeral, and offered her condolences to her family and friends 

Ms Stanford met with Leeton Shire Mayor Paul Maytom ahead of Ms Scott's funeral, and offered her condolences to her family and friends 

When Daily Mail Australia knocked on the door of the Stanford's home on Thursday nobody answered, but it was understood two people were inside at the time

When Daily Mail Australia knocked on the door of the Stanford's home on Thursday nobody answered, but it was understood two people were inside at the time

Ms Scott's funeral was held on Wednesday at Eat Your Greens, where she was supposed to get married

Ms Scott's funeral was held on Wednesday at Eat Your Greens, where she was supposed to get married

The much-loved school teacher's fiance Aaron Leeson-Wooley sat between Ms Scott's parents Robert and Merrilyn at the funeral

The much-loved school teacher's fiance Aaron Leeson-Wooley sat between Ms Scott's parents Robert and Merrilyn at the funeral

Vincent Stanford, pictured here age 11, is due to appear in court in June

Vincent Stanford, pictured here age 11, is due to appear in court in June

Ms Scott, pictured on a wine tour for her hen's party in Canberra in March with her mother Merrilyn

Ms Scott, pictured on a wine tour for her hen's party in Canberra in March with her mother Merrilyn

'I know she has people at work [to talk to] but I wanted the community to have that contact with her, and we care about her feelings in this matter,' he said.

'She has been deeply saddened by this event.

'She feels terrible and was able to vent her condolences through me.'

Cr Maytom told Daily Mail Australia he had not passed on these sentiments to Stephanie Scott's family but intended to do so through a council condolences card.

'[I will] make note of the condolence... at an appropriate time,' he said.

'The community has been very supportive of my having contact with [Anika, even though they are devastated].' 

Ms Scott is survived by her fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley, and was killed just days before the pair were set to wed

Ms Scott is survived by her fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley, and was killed just days before the pair were set to wed

Stephanie Scott is pictured giggling as a little girl (far right) in a sweet photo with her elder sisters Robyn and Kim, in a photo shared by her sister Kim on the eve of her tragic funeral

Stephanie Scott is pictured giggling as a little girl (far right) in a sweet photo with her elder sisters Robyn and Kim, in a photo shared by her sister Kim on the eve of her tragic funeral

Police were lead to Stephanie Scott's remains by the family of her accused killer, Vincent Stanford

Police were lead to Stephanie Scott's remains by the family of her accused killer, Vincent Stanford

On Tuesday the woman's heartbroken family shared a sweet photo of her as a little girl, giggling with her sisters in a bubble bath - as they invited all mourners to 'show their support of our beautiful Steph' for her funeral.  

'Hi everyone. Tomorrow will be Stephanie's funeral… All are welcome to pay your respects,' wrote Stephanie Scott's sister Kim on Tuesday night.

'She was a beautiful girl and we'd all love to see you to show your support for her.'  

On the same day, the school used social media to reach out to staff, students and parents after their first day back after the school holidays.

It had also been the first day on campus without the beloved teacher.

'Once again, whenever strength, unity, leadership and integrity is asked of the whole student body, Leeton High's students rise to the challenge,' they wrote.

The school's Facebook admin proceeded to commend the school community for their thoughtfulness after a beautiful, yellow-themed tribute was left for Ms Scott at the school following her disappearance.

'Just like at the fence tribute for Stephanie last Thursday, you guys were impeccable on this, the toughest of all school days.' 

School cleaner Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with Ms Scott's murder and is due to appear in court in June

School cleaner Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with Ms Scott's murder and is due to appear in court in June

Family and friends grieve a day after Ms Scott's remains were found. 'As far as the burning of the body, I can certainly confirm that that is the case,' police said

Family and friends grieve a day after Ms Scott's remains were found. Stephanie Scott's mother (right) comforts her daughter's fiance, Aaron Leeon-Woolley who would have married Stephanie that day

 

Leeton High School made an touching gesture, sending a supportive message to the entire school community to acknowledge the grief they may feel as they face the daunting task of returning to school

Leeton High School made an touching gesture, sending a supportive message to the entire school community to acknowledge the grief they may feel as they face the daunting task of returning to school

Stephanie Scott (right), pictured with her fiancé Aaron Leeson-Woolley, was last seen on Easter Sunday

Stephanie Scott (right), pictured with her fiancé Aaron Leeson-Woolley, was last seen on Easter Sunday

Aaron Leeson-Woolley was comforted by friends and family at the heartbreaking service on the day he had been due to marry the love of his life, Stephanie Scott

Aaron Leeson-Woolley was comforted by friends and family at the heartbreaking service on the day he had been due to marry the love of his life, Stephanie Scott

 

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