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HOMICIDE PROBE
Libby Squire cops say she may have been murdered before body was dumped in Humber Estuary
LIBBY Squire cops today said the student may have been murdered before her body was dumped in Humber Estuary.
A homicide probe has been launched after
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Police yesterday confirmed the badly decomposed body recovered from the RNLI is Libby's and a post mortem has been carried out.
They are currently not releasing her cause of death but have stepped her death up from a missing person's inquiry to a potential homicide investigation - meaning she may have been murdered.
An inquest will be opened and adjourned on March 25 at Hull Coroner's Court.
Detective Superintendent Martin Smalley said: “While we have considered throughout the missing person inquiry that Libby may have come to some harm, Libby’s death and the recovery of her body now leads us to solely investigate as a potential homicide.
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“The post-mortem examination concluded late last night and at this stage, we will not be releasing any results for investigative and operational reasons.
“We have to protect the integrity of the investigation, which is live and very much active and ongoing, with one man who remains under investigation.
“An inquest into Libby’s death will be opened on Monday afternoon (25 March) at Hull Coroner’s Court at 1pm.”
Polish butcher Pawel Relowicz, 24, was arrested and quizzed over Libby's disappearance and remains under investigation.
No other arrests have been made since she was last seen alive on a drunken night out in Hull on January 31.
'SHE CAPTURED HEARTS'
DS Smalley added: "Our thoughts remain today with Libby’s family and friends at this incredibly sad and devastating time for them.
“The loss of a loved one is always an upsetting and traumatic experience to go through, but the circumstances surrounding Libby’s death will only intensify the heartache for her family.
“Specially trained officers continue in supporting Libby’s family and we will do all we can to provide further support and assistance to them in any way we are able to.
“Libby captured the hearts of not just the people in Hull, but across the country, and as I have said before, the support shown has been overwhelming and my sincerest thanks to absolutely everyone who has been involved.”
TRIBUTES FOR LIBBY
Cops contacted Libby’s parents Lisa, 48, and Russ, 53, after the grisly discovery was made and they are being comforted by family liaison officers.
Heartbreaking tributes have now been paid to Libby as news of her tragic death spread.
Flowers have also been left on the bench where she was last seen as well as candles and emotional, handwritten notes.
A minute's silence was held today at Hull Minster with mourners asked to light a candle in Libby's memory.
Devastated friends have also taken to social media to pay tribute.
'SHE WAS MY MOST INSPIRING PERSON'
Amelia Cummins, who lived with Libby for two years at university, chillingly revealed the student had been "blunt" about death.
She wrote: "Lib and I had many conversations about death (as philosophy students often do), and both concluded that when it’s your time to go, you will go.
"This doesn’t negate from the sadness everyone is feeling, but it gives an insight into her way of thinking, which may bring some comfort. Some may read that as quite blunt, but that was lib; very blunt."
Amelia also described Libby as "the most incredible friend".
She said: "Libby was an incredible person, and as [Libby's mum] Lisa said to me the other week, 'if you had the blessing of being her friend you were very lucky'.
"I count myself incredibly lucky to have known Lib. We came to uni not expecting to find the “life long” friend that everyone who’s done uni and found that friend talks about, but we did; we found each other.
"Shortly before the new year my dad asked me who inspires me most in my life. I took a moment, had a think, ran through the list of people that have changed me or taught me things, and concluded that to me the most inspiring person is Libby.
"She never did anything half heartily, she always stood by her beliefs. She has by far influenced my life more than anyone else I have met.
"Libby Squire is and will remain the most incredible friend I have had the blessing to have had, and I will be forever grateful of having the pleasure of knowing her."
'YOU BEAUTIFUL ANGEL'
Lucy Burgess said in an emotional post: "I love you and miss you more than any amount of words can say, and nothing will justify our incredible friendship.
"The world has lost one of the most supportive, kind and hilarious people to have come into my life.
"You will always be one of my best friends, and will always hold a massive place in my heart, supporting each other through the best and worst times in the last 10 years.
"I know how much you hate attention and you’d be fuming looking down on all of this, so I’ll keep it short, but know that I’ll never ever forget you and will keep you with me always.
"R.I.P. you beautiful angel."
'ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED'
Professor Susan Lea, Vice-chancellor of Hull University where Libby attended, said: "As a close-knit community of staff and students, we are all absolutely devastated by the loss of our student, Libby Squire.
"Our hearts go out to Libby's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time and we will continue to give them our full support."
How the tragedy unfolded
11pm Thursday January 31: Libby is refused entry at Welly Club, Beverley Road, 4km from her home. The student was put into a taxi home.
11.30pm: Libby was seen staggering around outside her student digs on Wellesley Ave
11.45pm: CCTV captures Libby sitting on a bench on Beverley Road, close to the junction of Haworth Street.She was also helped by a motorist
12.09am: CCTV shows woman believed to be Libby getting into a car on Haworth Street just a few feet from Beverley Road
12.19am: CCTV obtained by The Sun picks up a car similar to the one seized by cops driving along Newlands Avenue in the direction of Raglan Street. Libby reported missing by friends
12.30am: A neighbour hears 'blood-curdling' screams
February 5: Pawel Relwicz, 24, is arrested in connection with the disappearance less than a mile from Libby's home
February 10: The dad-of-two is charged with a string of unrelated offences including burglary and voyeurism and remains under investigation by Libby cops
March 6: Relowicz charged with seven further offences including further counts of burglary, voyeurism, outraging public decency and receiving stolen goods
March 18: He appears at Hull Crown Court and pleads not guilty to 12 unrelated offences
March 20: Libby cops recover a body from Humber Estuary but idenitification needs to take place
March 21: Police confirm the body found is Libby
The university has also created a memorial space for Libby so students can come and pay their respects.
VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE
Police were scrambled to the docks at around 2.30pmon Wednesday after the alarm was raised with the RNLI assisting in the recovery.
The quayside was cordoned off and the coroner was informed.
Philosophy and religion student Libby went missing from a park bench just yards from her student digs after a night out on January 31.
She had been turned away from the Welly nightclub in Hull for being too drunk and was put in a taxi by friends and driven home to nearby Wellesley Avenue.
But after staggering around she mysteriously ended up sitting on a park bench on nearby Beverley Road at 11.45pm.
CCTV footage taken minutes later at 12.09am shows a woman believed to be Libby getting into a car and being driven away.
A second clip obtained by The Sun, shows a similar car being driven half a mile away ten minutes later at 12.19am.
FAMILY'S DEVASTATION
A woman living close to where Libby was last seen described hearing "bloodcurdling screams" at 12.30am that made her sit up in bed and say: "Oh my God".
A massive hunt was launched and up to 50 officers searched a river and pond close to her home. Bins, drains and gardens were also swept but without trace.
Since her disappearance Libby's parents have travelled between their home in High Wycombe and Hull to help cops.
In a moving statement the couple spoke fondly of Libby's love and said she was "always happy and having fun".
They also said: "As a family we are incomplete.
"We miss her more than we could ever say. We just want her back with us."
BUTCHER REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION
They also released snaps of Libby including one of her on Christmas Day and others of her laughing and joking with her family as they desperately appealed for information.
Butcher Relowicz, 24, was arrested and quizzed over Libby's disappearance and remains under investigation.
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Unrelated to Libby, he has since been charged with five counts of burglary, three counts of voyeurism, three counts of outraging public decency and one of receiving stolen goods.
He appeared at Hull Crown Court on Monday to deny the charges and will stand trial on July 22.
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