Ipswich Victim Asphyxiated (Serial Killer Fears)

[Rasputin]

2nd arrest reported in Ipswich murders

Police investigating the killings of five prostitutes arrested a second suspect Tuesday, news reports said. Detectives were also questioning a man arrested Monday for the second day.

Suffolk county police did not immediately confirm a second arrest, which was reported by Sky News, the British Broadcasting Corp. and the news agency Press Association.

The naked bodies of five women were found dumped in rural areas of eastern England in a 10-day period beginning Dec. 2.

The suspect arrested Monday has been identified in news reports as Tom Stephens, 37, who had said in an interview with a British newspaper that he knew all five of the victims and had previously been interviewed by police.

Mr. Stephens was also quoted as saying he was not the killer who had dumped the victims' naked bodies in rural areas around Ipswich, 110 kilometres northeast of London.

"I don't have alibis for some of the times [of the killings], actually I'm not entirely sure I have tight alibis for any of the times. But I'm not worried about being charged. I'm innocent," The Sunday Mirror quoted him as saying.

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Police quiz Ipswich murder suspects

Detectives hunting for the killer of five prostitutes in Suffolk are continuing to question two suspects today.

As the investigation gathered pace this week, Suffolk police made two arrests – the first a 37-year-old man on Monday and the second a 48-year-old man yesterday.

Both men have been arrested on suspicion of the murders of five women.

Anneli Alderton, 24, Gemma Adams, 25, Paula Clennell, 24, Tania Nicol, 19, and Annette Nicholls, 29, who all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, have been found dead over the last 18 days.

Tom Stephens, 37, from Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe, can be held until Friday after magistrates granted police an extra 36 hours to question him yesterday.

The 48-year-old, named by media as Stephen Wright, from Ipswich, remains in custody and will be questioned this morning at an unnamed Suffolk police station.

Inquests into the deaths of four of the women were opened and adjourned today. An inquest into Ms Adams' death was opened and adjourned last week.

The remains of all five women were found in various locations around Ipswich, naked apart from jewellery.

Police are also continuing to examine the houses where the two men were arrested, where forensic teams have been on the scene.

[Rasputin]

Murdered Ipswich prostitutes' inquests to open

Inquests into the deaths of four murdered prostitutes will be opened by a coroner today.

It comes a day after police arrested a second man in a move described as "significant" by sources close to the investigation.

Suffolk Police this morning confirmed it had been granted a further 12 hours to question the 48-year-old following a superintendent's review.

The man, named locally as lorry driver Steve Wright, was arrested yesterday at his home in Ipswich near the town's red light district.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: "Following a superintendent's review, police have a further 12 hours to question the 48-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the murder of five women.

"He remains in custody at a police station in Suffolk."

The bodies of five women were discovered near villages south of Ipswich during a ten-day spell.

A coroner will today open and adjourn inquests into the deaths of Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Annette Nicholls, 29, and Paula Clennell, 24, at Ipswich Crown Court.

The inquest into the death of a fifth victim, 25-year-old Gemma Adams, was opened last week.

Yesterday, detectives were given an extra 36 hours by a magistrate to question supermarket worker and former special constable Tom Stephens, 37, a day after he was arrested at his home in Trimley St Martin.

Officers have refused to confirm the identities of both suspects.

Forensic officers and search teams spent yesterday at both addresses and police cordoned off part of a road where Wright lives.

Members of Wright's family were last night at their home in Felixstowe, Suffolk - where they were visited by two plain clothes policemen.

His father Conrad, 72, told the Sun newspaper he did not believe his son, who he has not seen since 2001, could have carried out the killings.

"When I heard there had been an arrest of a 48-year-old man in Ipswich I actually piped up and said, 'Steve's 48 and lives in Ipswich'. But I never thought it would be him in a million years.

"I don't actually think he's clever enough to commit these crimes, they take a level of intelligence that I don't think Steve has. He's just not capable of killing people."

He added: "My son could not have done something horrific like this."

Wright, a lorry driver based in Mendlesham, north of Ipswich, moved to London Road in the town centre three months ago with his partner Pam, who works in IT support at a call centre in Felixstowe.

Last night friends comforted her as she came to terms with the arrest.

Sheila Davis, landlady at the Uncle Tom's Cabin pub near their former home, said: "Pam is distraught, she doesn't believe it and thinks it has all been concocted.

"She is shattered and she is tired, she is not allowed to go home and she is not allowed to speak to Steve."

Wright plays golf and was keen on the occasional bet.

Steve Morris, who runs Silks Racing bookmakers, said Wright used to go in "every couple of weeks" to place a bet.

Meanwhile yesterday, forensic teams searched the home of Stephens's mother near Ipswich.

Stephens's ex-wife Judith was not at her home in the town, but a neighbour said she was "feeling low".

Police sources said Stephens had worked as a special constable in Norfolk in the 1990s and as a taxi driver in Ipswich.

The bodies of the five women were all found naked earlier this month, although police said they had not been sexually assaulted.

Officers said Miss Alderton had been strangled and Miss Clennell had died as a result of "compression" to the neck. The causes of death were unclear for the other three women and toxicology tests were being carried out.

[Rasputin]

Second man held for questioning over Ipswich prostitute murders

A SECOND man was being questioned last night over the murders of five prostitutes in Ipswich, in a move police sources described as "significant".

The 48-year-old man - named locally as Steve Wright - was arrested at his home in the centre of Ipswich, near the red-light district, early yesterday.
It surprised many local residents who hoped that Monday's arrest of Tom Stephens would bring a grim chapter to a close. Stephens is a 37-year-old former special constable who had posted weird pictures of himself on the MySpace website and given media interviews denying involvement in the killings.

Detectives said both men were being questioned on suspicion of murdering Gemma Adams, 25; Tania Nicol, 19; Anneli Alderton, 24; Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

A magistrate last night gave officers a further 36 hours to continue questioning Stephens, who lives in nearby Trimley St Martin. Forensic officers and search teams spent yesterday at both addresses.

Police cordoned off part of a road in central Ipswich around where Wright lives.

Friends said Wright, variously described as a builder, a forklift truck driver and a former cruise ship steward, had moved to London Road in central Ipswich from another address nearby a few months ago. He lived with his partner Pam, who works in IT support at a call centre in Felixstowe.

Last night, friends comforted Mrs Wright as she came to terms with the arrest.

Sheila Davis, landlady of Uncle Tom's Cabin, a pub near where the couple used to live, said: "Pam is distraught - she doesn't believe it and thinks it has all been concocted.

"She is shattered and she is tired, she is not allowed to go home and she is not allowed to speak to Steve."

Wright plays golf and is keen on the occasional bet. Steve Morris, who runs Silks Racing bookmakers, said Wright used to go in "every couple of weeks" to place a bet.

Aaron Latimer, a plasterer who lived on the same road, said a brown-haired man whom he believed was called Steve had stopped him several times in the street.

"He knew I was a plasterer. I think he was into building or something because he kept trying to offer me work but I said no," he said. "I'm freelance, and besides, I thought there was something weird about him."

David Welton, 43, and his partner Laura Fowkes, 23, live in London Road, and their bedroom backs on to the suspect's bedroom. Mr Welton, a builder, said he had seen the man several times. "He was always cleaning his Mondeo both inside and out."

Police appeared to be combing his £90-a-week property more meticulously for clues than Stephens' home. Two white tents had been erected by officers for forensic work early yesterday, while later that day scaffolding had been put up outside the property. Police also loaded a dark-blue Ford Mondeo on to a transporter as officers dressed in white forensic suits began the search for evidence.

Another neighbour, a driver who did not want to be named, said he had seen a middle-aged man move into the flat three months ago but said he appeared to "keep to himself" and had only bought the Mondeo about five weeks ago.

Stephens' ex-wife, Judith, was yesterday unavailable for comment and not at her home in Ipswich. A neighbour said she was "feeling low". No other members of Stephens' family would comment on his arrest.

Police sources said Stephens had worked as a special constable in Norfolk in the 90s and as a taxi driver in Ipswich.

The bodies of the five women were found during a ten-day spell near villages south of Ipswich earlier this month. All were naked - although police said they had not been sexually assaulted.

Officers said Miss Alderton had been strangled and Miss Clennell had died as a result of "compression" to the neck. The causes of death were unclear for the other three women and toxicology tests were being carried out, they said.

Members of Wright's family were last night at their home in Felixstowe, Suffolk, where they were visited by two plainclothes policemen.

Forensic teams also searched the home of Stephens' mother near Ipswich.

News of the second arrest was announced early yesterday by Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Gull, who is leading the investigation.

He said both men were being held at police stations in Suffolk. Suffolk Police refused to confirm the identities of either of the men in custody.

Inquests into four of the five prostitutes found murdered are to open today.

The inquests into the deaths of Miss Nicol, Miss Alderton, Miss Nicholls and Miss Clennell will be opened and adjourned by a coroner at Ipswich Crown Court, said a police spokeswoman.

The inquest into the death of Miss Adams was opened last week.

[Rasputin]

Appeal for Media Calm as Police Grill 'Ipswich Ripper' Suspects

IPSWICH, England — Britain's attorney general warned news media Thursday to exercise restraint in their coverage of the killings of five prostitutes in eastern England. Police, meanwhile, were questioning two suspects as deadlines approached for charging the men.

Investigators have until Friday evening to charge or release their first suspect, identified in news reports asTom Stephens, 37. He was arrested Monday at his home in Trimley St. Martin, eight miles southeast of the town of Ipswich, where all the victims worked.

Suffolk police also were interrogating a 48-year-old man, identified in news reports as Steve Wright. He was arrested Tuesday in Ipswich, and can be detained until Saturday without charge.

Magistrates granted permission for extended questioning on Wednesday.

The case is generating massive media coverage in a country known for tabloid-fueled frenzies. Some newspapers have printed photographs of the two men identified as suspects, including a photo of one with his hands around the neck of a former wife. As the number of slayings rose, The News of the World, a tabloid, offered a $493,000 reward for information leading to the killer's arrest.

[Rasputin]

Man remanded over Ipswich murders

A 48-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of murdering five prostitutes.

Steve Wright appeared before magistrates in Ipswich, Suffolk, charged with the murders of Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29. He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address. He did not enter a plea.

Magistrates adjourned the hearing until January 2 and transferred the case to Ipswich Crown Court. There was no application for bail.

Wright was charged late on Thursday after being arrested at his home in central Ipswich early on Tuesday.

He had been held at an unnamed police station in Suffolk for the past three days and arrived at court in a police van amid tight security.

Wright, who until recently was a forklift truck driver, appeared in court dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue striped tie.

About 60 journalists - plus Detective Superintendent Roy Lambert, one of the senior officers in the inquiry - packed into court for the five-minute hearing.

Wright's solicitor, Paul Osler, said after the hearing that his client was: "Bearing up well".

The five women were found dead near villages south of Ipswich during a 10-day period earlier this month. They all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich.

A 37-year-old man - named locally as supermarket worker Tom Stephens, of Trimley St Martin, Suffolk - was on Thursday released on police bail without charge, pending further inquiries.

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Public jostle to see UK murder suspect at Ipswich court

The door to the glass-paneled dock of an Ipswich court opened at 10.10am on Friday to reveal a balding, grey-haired man dressed in a dark suit and tie.

Steve Wright, 48, the man accused of murdering five women in quick succession, stood composed and still, his hands clasped in front of him.

In a courtroom packed with around 50 journalists, Wright spoke quietly when asked to confirm his name, date of birth and address by the clerk.

He was told that he was charged with the murders of Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, all of whom worked as prostitutes in the town.

Their bodies were dumped at various locations near the Suffolk town over a period of 10 days.

Wright, a forklift truck driver and former Queen Elizabeth II steward, looked across at the court bench as details of the case against him were briefly outlined. He was flanked by two police officers throughout the eight-minute hearing.

Paul Osler, representing Wright, said his client would not be seeking bail. He was remanded in custody to appear at the town's crown court on January 2.

Speaking after the hearing, Osler said: "Anybody accused of these offenses is going to be distressed by the mere fact of the accusation. Given those circumstances he is bearing up well."

Osler said that his client had been charged at 10pm on Thursday night, 15 minutes before police and the Crown Prosecution Service held a press conference to announce that one man had been charged and another had been released on bail.

Wright had "wanted to appear smartly dressed in court" and had been bought a suit, tie, shirt and shoes by police.

Media coverage of the detention of Wright and Tom Stephens, 37, who was arrested on Monday morning at his home in Felixstowe and released on Thursday night, has caused concern over the possible prejudice of a trial.

Osler said the defense team would analyze all coverage and consider whether "the prosecution has become an abuse of process because there can no longer be a fair trial."

A Queen's Counsel and a barrister would be appointed to represent Wright next month in what was going to be "one of the most serious crown court cases in UK history."

The solicitor said that he was not in a position to discuss what his client would be pleading.

Wright was arrested on Tuesday in a pre-dawn raid at his home on London Road, at the edge of Ipswich's red light district, following the series of killings which occurred at a speed that shocked investigating officers.

The naked body of one woman was found on Dec. 2 in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk. She had last been seen on Nov. 15. Another woman was found dead shortly after, having disappeared on Oct. 30. Her body was also discovered in the same fast-flowing waterway at Copdock Mill, not far from the site where the first was found.

On Dec. 10 a third victim was found in a forest at Nacton, outside Ipswich. She had been strangled and was three months pregnant.

Two days later a fourth victim, a mother of three, was uncovered at Levington, a village five miles from Ipswich.

She died as a result of "compression to the neck." The fifth victim was found within an hour at the same location. None of the women were killed where their remains were discovered.

Friends of some of the women awaited the convoy of police vehicles at the court at 9.30am.

Members of the public jostled with television crews, photographers and reporters at a security cordon in attempting to catch a glimpse of Wright as he was driven into the red-brick court building.

Amanda Smith, 33, who briefly lived in the same guesthouse as one victim said: "I knew her for a couple of weeks. I used to give her clothes and she used to paint my little girl's nails. She always had a big smile on her face. I was gutted when I heard what happened."

[Rasputin]

Gemma fund's £2,000 for hospice
A charity appeal launched in memory of a woman found murdered has raised over £2,000 in just two days.
Donations to the fund set up in memory of Gemma Adams, one of five women found dead at sites near Ipswich, have come from across Europe as well as the UK.

Many donors have also sent messages of sympathy to the "Gemma's Gift" fund set up by Gail and Brian Adams, parents of 25-year-old Miss Adams.

Cash raised will help terminally ill children at Ipswich Children's Hospice.

A statement on the website from Miss Adams' parents said: "Our local children's hospice in Ipswich gives care and support to life-limited children and their families.

"We feel donations in Gemma's name will be of some benefit to those who loved her, knowing that any contribution will bring maximum benefit to the children and families who use the hospice."

Steven Wright, 48, from Ipswich has been charged with the murders of Gemma, and four other women who worked as prostitutes; Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24 and Annette Nicholls, 29.