Police arrest murder suspect after man was found injured at foot of cliffs following death of woman

Detectives have arrested a 54-year-old man on suspicion of murder after the body of a woman was found in Leicester last week.

Leicestershire Police said the man is being questioned this evening about the death of the 49-year-old woman, who was found in a property in Tennis Court Drive, Humberstone at around 10.30am on Thursday.

Officers are also carrying out inquiries after a man was found lying critically injured at the foot of 80ft-high cliffs near Hunstanton, Norfolk on the same day – 90 miles from the property in Leicester.

In a statement last night, Detective Chief Inspector Joe Banfield, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Although an arrest has been made, our investigation continues to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the death. 

‘I would still like to hear from anyone who may have any information related to this incident.’   

Police with evidence bags as they search the cliffs at Hunstanton, Norfolk

Norfolk Police search cliffs in climbing gear after a man was found at the bottom of them

Norfolk Police search cliffs in climbing gear after a man was found at the bottom of them

Hunstanton is a two-hour drive from the house in Tennis Court Drive, Leicester

Hunstanton is a two-hour drive from the house in Tennis Court Drive, Leicester

Leicestershire Police said: ‘A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a woman was found inside a Leicester address last week.

‘The 54-year-old man, of Leicester, was arrested last night (Saturday, April 17).

‘At around 10.30am on Thursday, officers attended a property in Tennis Court Drive following concern for the welfare of the occupant inside.

‘Entry was gained to the address and the woman, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene and an investigation was launched.’ 

Hunstanton is a two-hour drive from the house in Tennis Court Drive, Leicester, where the woman was found dead.

Leicestershire Police said last week that a post mortem has shown she died of a head injury. They have not revealed her name yet, or the identity of the man who fell off the cliffs.

Photographs have emerged of emergency services at the scene in Hunstanton where he plunged.

Norfolk-based photographer Gary Pearson was nearby at the time and managed to get several shots of emergency services as they worked to save him as he lay on the beach, critically injured.

Mr Pearson said ‘There is some sand on that particular part of the beach, but the part where he was is very rocky.’ 

Leicestershire Police said that a post mortem of the woman has shown she died of a head injury. Pictured: Norfolk Police search cliffs in Hunstanton on Friday

Leicestershire Police said that a post mortem of the woman has shown she died of a head injury. Pictured: Norfolk Police search cliffs in Hunstanton on Friday

Hunstanton is a two-hour drive from the house in Tennis Court Drive, Leicester, where the woman was found dead. Pictured: Norfolk Police search cliffs in Hunstanton on Friday

Hunstanton is a two-hour drive from the house in Tennis Court Drive, Leicester, where the woman was found dead. Pictured: Norfolk Police search cliffs in Hunstanton on Friday

Norfolk Police search cliffs in climbing gear after a man was found at the bottom of them

Norfolk Police search cliffs in climbing gear after a man was found at the bottom of them 

Mr Pearson, who was visiting Hunstanton while photographing wildlife a few miles away, said he saw the air ambulance landing.

‘I don’t know the exact height of the cliffs, but I’d say it would be approximately 70 to 80ft. The man’s injuries were clearly very serious.’

The drama began around 9.15am on Thursday, when Norfolk Police were called to the beach below the cliffs at Hunstanton where the 54-year-old was found in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

He was winched up from the beach by a coastguard air sea rescue helicopter and flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

It is not known if horrified people saw him plunge over the edge, or whether he was found and how long he’d been lying there.

At 10.30am on Thursday morning police went to the house in Tennis Court Drive, Leicester because they had ‘concern for the welfare of the occupant’.

Inside, they found the body of a woman, in her 40s. It is not clear how long she had lain dead and undiscovered. 

DCI Banfield said last week: ‘I would like to appeal to anyone who hasn’t spoken to police who may have any information related to this incident to get in touch.

‘The information you may have could prove extremely important to our investigation so please do not hesitate.’

People should phone 101 quoting incident 127 of April 15.