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Police linking prostitute murders | Police linking prostitute murders |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The body of a woman found in a pond in Suffolk is that of missing prostitute Tania Nicol, police have said. | The body of a woman found in a pond in Suffolk is that of missing prostitute Tania Nicol, police have said. |
Det Supt Andy Henwood said there were "obvious similarities" between the death of the 19-year-old and that of another prostitute Gemma Adams, 25. | Det Supt Andy Henwood said there were "obvious similarities" between the death of the 19-year-old and that of another prostitute Gemma Adams, 25. |
Ms Adams' body was discovered in a brook near Hintlesham on 2 December and Miss Nicol was found near Copdock Mill on Friday in the same water stream. | Ms Adams' body was discovered in a brook near Hintlesham on 2 December and Miss Nicol was found near Copdock Mill on Friday in the same water stream. |
Police said further tests were needed before causes of death were known. | Police said further tests were needed before causes of death were known. |
The women, who were friends and lived in Ipswich, had been working as prostitutes in the city's red light district. | The women, who were friends and lived in Ipswich, had been working as prostitutes in the city's red light district. |
Det Supt Henwood said they were treating the deaths as "linked investigations". | Det Supt Henwood said they were treating the deaths as "linked investigations". |
"There are obvious similarities between Tania's and Gemma Adam's disappearances and subsequent deaths," he said. | "There are obvious similarities between Tania's and Gemma Adam's disappearances and subsequent deaths," he said. |
"However we will be seeking further information from specialist advisers to confirm this view." | "However we will be seeking further information from specialist advisers to confirm this view." |
Clothing missing | |
Ms Adams disappeared after leaving home on 15 November to go to work. Ms Nicol went missing on 30 October. | Ms Adams disappeared after leaving home on 15 November to go to work. Ms Nicol went missing on 30 October. |
The body of Gemma Adams was found last week | |
Their naked bodies were found about two miles apart. | Their naked bodies were found about two miles apart. |
Det Supt Henwood said inquiries were continuing to "try to ascertain where and when Tania's and Gemma's bodies were placed in the water and the circumstances of their deaths". | Det Supt Henwood said inquiries were continuing to "try to ascertain where and when Tania's and Gemma's bodies were placed in the water and the circumstances of their deaths". |
He said officers were seeking to trace the clothing they were wearing on the nights they went missing. | He said officers were seeking to trace the clothing they were wearing on the nights they went missing. |
Post mortem examinations have been carried out on both bodies but police said more tests were now needed. | Post mortem examinations have been carried out on both bodies but police said more tests were now needed. |
They said there was no evidence that either woman had been sexually assaulted. | They said there was no evidence that either woman had been sexually assaulted. |
Det Supt Henwood added: "The way the girls lived their lives is a significant issue for us to investigate. | |
"We are aware of their drug use and that is a line of inquiry we are pursuing." | |
Simon Aalders, the coordinator of the Suffolk Drug Action Team who works with prostitutes in Ipswich, said women working in the area were worried. | |
"Some women are stopping their activity but some aren't and I think that what that shows really is that a lot of these women are in a desperate - extremely desperate - situation. | |
"Things like drug dependency and poverty are really pushing women into this sort of activity." |