POLICE in America have arrested Swindon murder suspect Andrew Warren overnight.

The 56-year-old was wanted in connection to the murder of a 26-year-old hairdresser in Chicago along with microbiology professor at Northwestern University in Illinois, Wyndham Lathem, 42.

Mr Warren was reported missing from his home in Longcot by his family on July 25.

Thames Valley Police confirmed earlier this week that he had flew out to America the day before.

Mr Warren, who worked at Oxford University, was arrested by US police on Friday in Northern California.

It comes just hours after police said the murder suspects had made a donation to a library in the victim's name in a neighbouring state.

The two men are expected to first appear before a judge in California before their likely extradition to Chicago, USA Today reports.

"Both individuals will be held accountable for their actions, and we hope today's arrest brings some small level of closure and justice for the victim's family," Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

"We are also thankful both men are safely in custody and this did not end in further tragedy."

Lathem surrendered at the federal courthouse in Oakland U.S. Marshals Service supervisory inspector Ed Farrell, told the Chicago Tribune. Warren was arrested in San Francisco, Farrell said.

More to follow.