A murder investigation was opened today in an upscale Hampshire town after a young woman was arrested for the death of a woman in her 40s at a red brick detached property.
The 25-year-old is being questioned by detectives suspected of murdering the older woman at the Petersfield address.
Police cars, ambulances and a helicopter descended on the town – which is surrounded by Hampshire countryside – around 8pm last night. The victim in his 40s, who has not been identified, was found dead at the property, which is divided into apartments.
Today, as Hampshire Constabulary launched their investigation, a white forensic tent had been erected in the property’s pretty front garden, covering its ground floor window.
Two policemen and three medical examiners in white coveralls were seen in the garden, which is surrounded by a brick wall and green bushes.
A 25-year-old man is questioned by detectives suspected of murdering the older woman at the address
Residents of the upmarket town of Petersfield, Hampshire, revealed they heard ‘horrific screams’
A police spokeswoman said: ‘We were called just before 8pm on May 9 to an address on Station Road. On the spot, the police discovered the body of a woman in her forties. Formal identification has not yet taken place.
“The woman’s relatives have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
“As part of our investigations, a 25-year-old woman from Bordon [Hants] was arrested on suspicion of murder. She remains in custody at this time.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Crute said: ‘We would be interested to hear from any potential witnesses who may have seen or heard something on Station Road between 3pm and 8pm yesterday.
“Any information can be useful, no matter how insignificant to you. Please call 101 with the Op Cleome reference for any information, CCTV or dash cam footage.
Investigators were spotted outside the house today as they carried out inquiries into the murder of the middle-aged woman (pictured) A 25-year-old woman, from Bordon, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody
A neighboring landlord, in his 40s, said: ‘I heard sirens then I heard a woman screaming. After hearing the screams, I looked over the wall and saw an unmarked black police car there.
The man added: ‘It’s flats over there. Everyone seems pretty friendly, to be honest. No one seems unhappy or anything like that. It’s a bit of a shock.
A pensioner said she heard a commotion, adding: ‘It’s scary to think it happened here.’
Another neighbour, a homeowner in her 50s, said she left her home and discovered a huge police cordon last night.
She said: ‘The blue lights were always flashing when I was trying to go to bed. Everything that happened in there must have been awful.
Petersfield has been called in by celebrities such as Mark Owen and Miranda Hart.