A woman’s body has been pulled from the River Severn after a 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, police revealed today.
Search crews discovered the body of a woman ‘in her 20s’ in Worcester as forensic officers searched a house nearby.
Officers investigated a trail of what appears to be bloody splattered along a road two miles from the river.
Three sites in Worcester were cordoned off as search teams combed the River Severn for the woman’s body.
West Mercia Police said the closure of Worcester’s Diglis footbridge had been lifted but investigations are ongoing at a house.
Police cordoned off a small cul-de-sac yesterday while detectives investigated the murder they said was an ‘isolated incident’.
Residents claim a man killed the woman before hiding her body as they expressed their shock at her death.
A house is being searched by police and forensic experts found what appear to be blood spatters in a trail running along another road two miles away
Three sites in Worcester have been cordoned off as search teams comb the River Severn for a woman’s body
Police cordoned off the small cul-de-sac yesterday while detectives investigate the murder which they say is an ‘isolated incident’. Pictured, alleged blood splatters
A police cordon near the Diglis footbridge in Worcester, where specialist teams are set to begin searching a stretch of the River Severn
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Dean Jones said: ‘Unfortunately, we have located the body of a woman in her 20s in the River Severn during our searches last night.
‘Her family has been informed, but formal identification has not yet taken place.’
The officer continued: ‘A 24-year-old man was arrested yesterday and remains in police custody.
‘This is an isolated incident and I can confirm that we are not looking for anybody else in connection with the incident.’
Forensic experts were seen searching the bins near the house and neighbours say a woman lived at the property with her adult son who had autism and a lodger.
One said: ‘The police did knock on my door yesterday to ask me but when I asked for details they said they couldn’t say anything.
‘There was a woman who lived there with two sons and one was autistic.’
Another neighbour said: ‘I don’t know the woman’s name but I’m sure she lived there with a lodger.
‘The first I knew something was wrong was when I saw lots of police on the street on Wednesday afternoon.
Residents claim a man killed the woman before hiding her body as they expressed their shock at her death
A third scene at Diglis Bridge overlooking the River Severn has also been shut off to the public
Diglis Bridge is closed as part of a murder investigation into an alleged murder
Forensic experts were seen searching the bins near the house and neighbours say a woman lived at the property with her adult son who had autism and a lodger
Police tape was also across a home which police confirmed was linked with the other two scenes
A road was taped off as investigations into the woman’s death continued today
‘It’s a pretty shocking sight because this is a nice area and nothing as dramatic happens around here.
‘From what I’ve heard, there may have been friction caused by the pressure of lockdown. It’s really sad to think a woman has died.’
A third scene at Diglis Bridge overlooking the River Severn has also been shut off to the public.
Five police vehicles, including two forensic vans, and a fire and rescue boat crew are stationed at the bridge. The bridge and walkways around it either side of the River Severn were sealed.
A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were called at 1.21pm on Wednesday, February 10, to assist with a search of the river. We sent a crew from Worcester.’
A stretch of path leading to Diglis Bridge was closed as police investigations continued
Five police vehicles, including two forensic vans, and a fire and rescue boat crew are stationed at the bridge. The bridge and walkways around it either side of the River Severn were sealed
Forensic officers set up yellow markers in areas of interest on one of the cordoned off roads
Police vans and a car parked by the river as the search continues for a woman’s body
Two forensic vans were at the scene while a Hereford and fire service rescue boat searched the river.
Police tape was also across a home which police confirmed was linked with the other two scenes.
A West Mercia Police statement read: ‘We have cordons in place at three locations in Worcester including the Diglis footbridge as part of a serious incident.
‘We would ask people to remain out of the areas while the investigation is underway.
A West Mercia Police statement read: ‘We have cordons in place at three locations in Worcester including the Diglis footbridge as part of a serious incident’
Police officer stood at the footbridge as pedestrians were turned away amid the investigation
‘A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody. We believe this to be an isolated incident.
‘As part of the investigation we are working closely with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Police Specialist Search team who will be searching the River Severn in the Diglis area.’