Exmouth man arrested after woman killed in Exeter

Police have arrested a 30-year-old man from the Exmouth area on suspicion of murder after a woman, 74, was killed in Exeter.

Police were called at around 4pm on Saturday (18 February) following reports of an elderly local woman having been seriously assaulted by a man with a knife in Ludwell Valley Park.

Emergency services attended, but she was declared dead at the scene.

Her next of kin have been informed and formal identification is due to take place.

Chief Superintendent Dan Evans said: "Following a police appeal, an off-duty police officer spotted the suspect in the High Street in Exeter yesterday evening. The suspect was safely detained by armed officers outside the Yorkshire Building Society on Exeter High Street just after 9.30pm on Saturday (18 February).

"A 30-year-old man from the Exmouth area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody, and at this time we do not know the motive for the attack.

"We do not currently believe that the victim and suspect are known to each other and we are not currently seeking anyone else in connection to this murder, which is being treated as an isolated incident.

"We are still searching the Wonford area as part of our investigation, we believe we may have located the knife believed to have been used in the attack and are retrieving this as we speak.

"There will be a heightened police presence in Exeter and notably in the Wonford area of the city and it is vital that anyone with any information contacts us immediately through our call centre or by speaking with an officer near the scene.

"Whilst this type of incident is very rare, Wonford is a very close community and I know this death will be felt deeply by all who live in the area.

"A heightened police response will remain in the area for the foreseeable future as our investigation continues, and my thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the victim at this tragic time."

If you have any information that could help police, call 101 quoting log number 600 18 February.

If you have large files such as doorbell, CCTV, phone or dashcam footage you can send them directly to police here. You can also report information.