UPDATE: Police searches of Ashbury Avenue home complete

VITAL evidence is being acquired in the investigation into the murder of Becky Godden-Edwards as a number of fresh leads are being followed.

On Monday, the former home of convicted killer Christopher Halliwell, on Ashbury Avenue, became the focus of police attention as part of the ongoing investigation.

Items police believe are of interest have now been removed from the address during a meticulous search carried out by cadaver dogs and forensics teams.

The dogs, brought in to scour the property for any traces of blood, have now completed their searches, and all but two rooms of the house have been subjected to a thorough search, beneath floorboards and within the wall cavities.

DCI Sean Memory, head of major crime and lead investigator, said: “Our specialist officers have resumed their searches at the property on Ashbury Avenue and have two rooms left to focus their attention on.”

In conjunction with the search of the home, which was owned by Halliwell between 2005 and 2006, officers have made a fresh appeal for information as they attempt to retrace Becky’s final movements during the festive period in 2002.

The last confirmed sighting of her was on December 27, 2002 on Manchester Road, but police are now focusing all their attentions on the Nythe area.

A number of possible witnesses have since come forward with information they had not previously linked with the case, and all lines of enquiry are now being looked into by detectives in the major crime team.

“Another witness came forward last night and has provided information which officers are following up today and we expect that the house to house enquiries will be finished this evening,” added DCI Memory.

Residents have been rattled by the huge police presence descending on their street although were already aware of its connections with the case.

Richard Lafferty, 23, a Royal Mail graduate, shares a house on Ashbury Avenue with seven others.

“They came around and got me out of bed to ask a few questions, but none of us have been here more than a year,” he said.

“It doesn’t bother me at all, but some of the girls in the house were pretty freaked out.

“I feel for the people who live there. They know what went on, but this has brought it to the front of everyone’s mind. You would be mortified.

“Everyone was at work yesterday when it all happened and we just began messaging each other when we started to Google all the information.”

Police expect to be leaving the scene by the end of the week.

DCI Memory said: “We are on track to be able to finalise our search by the end of the week and again I would like to say how much we appreciate the understanding of all the local resident.

“We continue to appeal for any information about where Becky Godden was over the period of Christmas 2002 and New Year 2003. I urge anyone who has information to contact us on 101.’

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