Floral tributes left for murdered teenager as second man is arrested

Ellen Higginbottom's body was found in Orrell Water Park on Saturday.

Friends leave flowers at the scene
Published 19th Jun 2017
Last updated 19th Jun 2017

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering 18-year-old Ellen Higginbottom, whose body was found in Orrell Water Park at around 2.30 on Saturday morning.

The 51-year-old suspect was arrested on Sunday evening, at an address in Preston, Lancashire and police continue to search the property.

Ellen, a college student from Wigan, was reported missing by her family on Friday evening when she failed to return from college.

Friends say they'd last seen her in Orrell Water Park that evening, following a search by police her body was discovered.

A post-mortem examination has revealed that Ellen died as a result of multiple neck wounds.

The first suspect, a 47-year-old man, was arrested earlier on Sunday and currently remains in police custody for questioning.

Detective Superintendent Howard Millington, of Greater Manchester Police, says: “`Last night we made a second arrest after our investigation identified an address in Preston.

“Today we will search the address whilst the man is in custody for questioning.

“It is unimaginable what Ellen's family and friends must be going through right now, and my thoughts continue to be with them throughout all of this.

“Whilst we have now made two arrests, our investigation continues as we piece together the puzzle to find out what exactly happened to Ellen on Friday and give her family the answers they deserve.”

Winstanley College where Ellen was a student paid tribute to her on social media: