Southsea murder: Everything we know so far about murder investigation

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead on a roof.
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The body was discovered in Southsea at around 10.50am yesterday.

Here is everything we know so far:

Where was the body found?

Picture: Sarah Standing (160919-6101)Picture: Sarah Standing (160919-6101)
Picture: Sarah Standing (160919-6101)

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was found dead on a roof overlooking Tonbridge Street behind Clark’s shoe shop in Palmerston Road, Southsea on Monday morning.

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A murder investigation was launched and there was a heavy police presence was in the area throughout yesterday.

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What do we know about the woman?

The woman who was discovered dead yesterday has still not been formally identified, police said.

However more details have emerged today. She was in her 40s and was from Portsmouth.

Have any arrests been made?

A 53-year-old man from Southsea was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder.

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He remains in police custody as of this morning, a spokeswoman for police said.

Police cordon put in place around scene of ‘murder’

Following the gruesome discovery yesterday, uniformed police officers were inside Palmerston Mansions, a block above maisonettes with balconies above shops in Palmerston Road, carrying out enquiries into the death.

Forensics officers installed a white tent on the lower roof of the building.

However the cordon has been lifted as of this morning (September 17).

A solitary police vehicle remains in Tonbridge Street.

How have residents reacted?

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People have told of their shock at the ‘heartbreaking’ discovery of a woman’s body on a rooftop in Southsea.

A 19-year-old, who is in his first year at the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘It’s a bit shocking, especially us just moving to uni - it’s terrible.

‘Honestly it’s heartbreaking, it’s quite scary.’

Retired shop worker Holly Heasman, 49, who lives in Portland Terrace said: ‘I’m shocked, it’s terrible.

‘She might have family, what about her family? They could murder me, they could murder anyone.’

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Resident Jonathan Chubb, 59, added: ‘I can’t believe there’s been a murder. In all the 20 years I’ve lived here I’ve never known there to be a murder.’

Writing on The News’ Facebook page Kerry Lewis said: ‘I saw her, was horrible to see her just laying there.’

We will bring you all the latest updates from throughout the investigation. Check back on our website or Facebook for all the breaking news.