BODY parts have been found in the hunt for missing schoolgirl Becky Watts
as police arrested another five people.
Her family have said they are “devastated” at the discovery and “at an utter
loss to understand why anyone would want to hurt our beautiful Becky”.
Detectives announced the grisly find at a press conference this morning after
earlier confirming a “significant development” in the investigation.
Becky, 16, disappeared two weeks ago from her family home in Bristol.
Two people – a man, 28, and a woman, 21 – were arrested on suspicion of kidnap
on Saturday. Last night police announced they had been rearrested on
suspicion of murder.
Detectives have been given a further 24 hours to question the pair.
Five others have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, Avon and
Somerset Police said.
Four men — two aged 29 and two 23-year-olds — as well as a 23-year-old woman
are being held by cops.
In a statement, Becky Watts’ mum Tania, grandma Pat and brother Daniel said:
“We are devastated to be told of this latest development.
“We are at an utter loss to understand why anyone would want to hurt our
beautiful Becky in such a brutal way.
“We are grateful to the police for all they have done and are continuing to do
in this investigation.”
Wheelie bins outside houses in the street have been removed by officers today
as the search continues.
Yesterday, relatives told The Sun that one house being searched by officers
was lived in by Shauna Phillips.
Shauna, in her 20s, is said to be in a relationship with Nathan Matthews, also
in his 20s. The pair are friends on Facebook and are said to text each other
regularly.
Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour described the news as “devastating”.
He said: “As a result of new information received late last night, we attended
a house at Barton Court in the Barton Hill area of Bristol.
“The information suggested that Becky’s body had been cut up and a search at
the new location resulted in the discovery of body parts.
“Although formal identification procedures have not yet been completed, we
have made Becky’s family aware of this discovery.
“As a result of this latest development, a further three men and two women
have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
“They remain in police custody at this time, as do the man and the woman
arrested on suspicion of Becky’s murder.
“This is devastating news for Becky’s family and friends and our thoughts are
with them. We will continue to offer every support we can to them during
this terrible ordeal.”
Becky was last seen on February 19 when she left her home in Bristol with her
phone, laptop and tablet computer.
She was reported missing by her family the next day.
A neighbour, who gave her name as Jen, 63, said she was shocked at the
developments.
“I just can’t eat and I want to throw up — I am just devastated,
“It’s quiet around here and I keep myself to myself. All the kids go out and
play around here.”
Fighting back tears, she added: “I’m scared to imagine that I might have
missed her. I am totally devastated and I can’t stop shaking and I feel so,
so sorry for the parents — my heart goes out to them. That poor baby.”