Police arrest man in murder investigation after Chelmsford woman dies

The 31-year-old man currently remains in police custody

Author: Rory GannonPublished 10th Feb 2024

Essex Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a woman in her 60s in Chelmsford.

The force said that a murder enquiry has been opened into the woman's death, which police are treating as 'suspicious'.

Officers were called to the woman's home on Dorset Avenue in the Great Baddow area of the town at around 2:30p.m. on Friday afternoon (February 9).

Concerned residents had called the police after spotting a suspicious male lurking in the area who was not known to those living on the road.

When responders arrived at the scene, the found the man - with an address at Readers Court - and spoke with him, before finding the woman in her home with serious injuries.

Emergency paramedics were deployed to the scene to treat the woman for her injuries, but despite their best efforts she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Essex Police confirmed that a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and currently remains in police custody.

Speaking on the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Kirby from the Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate said: "I know that this will cause this quiet community great concern and fully understand they will have questions about what has happened, but I would ask that people don't speculate.

"We are working to establish the facts leading up to the woman's death and we will remain at the scene whilst we carry out our enquiries."

Kirby also reassured the public in the area that a high police presence will be felt in the area in order to help those living close to the crime scene feel safer.

He also appealed to anyone who might have any kind of information that could help the force in their investigation to get in touch as soon as possible.

"I'd ask anyone who has information or footage of any part of the incident, particularly in the areas of Readers Court and Dorset Avenue that could help our investigation, to get in contact," he explained.

Hear all the latest news from across Tayside, Perthshire and Angus on the hour, every hour, at Tay FM. Listen on FM, via our Radio Tay app, on your DAB radio, online at TAYFM.co.uk, or say ‘Play TAY FM’ on your Smart Speaker.