This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29931269
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Two dead after cannibal attack at Argoed hostel | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A woman has been murdered in an act of cannibalism and the suspect has died after Gwent Police fired a Taser at him. | |
Officers went to the former Sirhowy Arms Hotel in Argoed, Blackwood, at 01:23 GMT where it was reported Matthew Williams was attacking the woman. | |
The 22-year-old's death is being treated as murder, the force said. | |
It confirmed officers fired a Taser at Williams, 34, who was then arrested but later died. | |
The matter has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which confirmed it is investigating. | The matter has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which confirmed it is investigating. |
The police force said Williams was local to the area and the woman was from Blackwood. | |
It added it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. | It added it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. |
It is believed the two were in a relationship. | |
Forensics experts dressed in white head-to-toe overalls, were combing the area for clues on Thursday while residents watched on the other side of the police cordon. | |
'Real shock' | 'Real shock' |
June Trace, secretary of Argoed Baptist Chapel, which is next door to the hostel, said the Sirhowy Arms had been converted into accommodation for vulnerable people several years ago. | June Trace, secretary of Argoed Baptist Chapel, which is next door to the hostel, said the Sirhowy Arms had been converted into accommodation for vulnerable people several years ago. |
Mrs Trace said: "It's a real shock." | Mrs Trace said: "It's a real shock." |
She told BBC Wales that the building had a "fluctuating population" of people, often aged in their 30s or 40s, who would stay there for a time before moving on. | She told BBC Wales that the building had a "fluctuating population" of people, often aged in their 30s or 40s, who would stay there for a time before moving on. |
She said there had been concern in the village when plans were put forward to convert the building, but she added: "There's never been any trouble or anything." | She said there had been concern in the village when plans were put forward to convert the building, but she added: "There's never been any trouble or anything." |
The chapel hall, which is next to the hostel, has been opened for police use during the investigation. | The chapel hall, which is next to the hostel, has been opened for police use during the investigation. |
Councillor Leon Gardiner said villagers had been talking about the incident. | Councillor Leon Gardiner said villagers had been talking about the incident. |
"What has happened has hit the community for six, knocked the stuffing out of the village," he said. | "What has happened has hit the community for six, knocked the stuffing out of the village," he said. |
"I have lived here all my life - 80-odd years. I feel very upset about this." | "I have lived here all my life - 80-odd years. I feel very upset about this." |
'Sorting out violence' | 'Sorting out violence' |
Some villagers said there had previously been trouble at the hostel. | Some villagers said there had previously been trouble at the hostel. |
Susan Gibbs, 71, said: "Police seem to be here every other night to sort out the violence. | Susan Gibbs, 71, said: "Police seem to be here every other night to sort out the violence. |
"We've even had people sleeping rough overnight in the hedge rows." | "We've even had people sleeping rough overnight in the hedge rows." |
Another villager added: "The village didn't want the halfway house. There's quite a lot of elderly people here and they were all against it. It started up about two years ago." | Another villager added: "The village didn't want the halfway house. There's quite a lot of elderly people here and they were all against it. It started up about two years ago." |
Police referral | Police referral |
A spokesman for Caerphilly council confirmed the hotel is used as temporary accommodation for homeless people. | A spokesman for Caerphilly council confirmed the hotel is used as temporary accommodation for homeless people. |
In a statement the spokesman said: "The authority is fully co-operating with Gwent Police as part of their ongoing investigations." | In a statement the spokesman said: "The authority is fully co-operating with Gwent Police as part of their ongoing investigations." |
The IPCC said it is investigating the incident. | The IPCC said it is investigating the incident. |