‘Unprecedented’ murders spark manhunt

A MASSIVE manhunt is underway for the serial killer thought to be responsible for the “unprecedented” murders of five prostitutes.

Two bodies found yesterday, which police say are likely to be those of Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls, takes the total of murdered prostitutes to five.

The naked body of Gemma Adams, 25, was found on December 2 on the outskirts of Ipswich. She was last seen on November 15.

On December 8 the body of Tania Nicol, 19, of Ipswich, was found in nearby Copdock. She was the first to go missing on October 30.

And the naked body of Anneli Alderton, 24, from Colchester, in Essex, was discovered at the weekend a few miles further east. She had been strangled.

The officer leading the murder inquiry, Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull, said the “natural assumption” was that the bodies discovered this afternoon were those of 24-year-old Ms Clennell and Ms Nicholls, 29, both from Ipswich.

Suffolk Chief Constable Alastair McWhirter described the multiple murder inquiry as “unprecedented”.

“If you think of the Yorkshire Ripper, the murders took place over a long period of time,” he said.

More than 100 officers are now involved in the search for the killer.

Police are getting specialist support from a number of other forces — including the Metropolitan police.

Detectives are also hoping to recover DNA evidence from the area where Ms Alderton was discovered.

The women: the different lives of the five victims

By Brian Farmer

Tania Nicol 19, 5ft 2in, slim, shoulder-length brown hair

Vanished October 30. Naked body found in pond December 8.

Grew up on outskirts of Ipswich, lived with her mother and brother, now 16.

Neighbours did not realise Ms Nicol was working as a prostitute. They describe her as well-spoken, polite teenager.

Gemma Adams 25, 5ft 2in, petite, long blonde hair

Vanished November 14. Naked body found in a stream on December 2.

Became heroin addict at 17. Thought to have turned to prostitution to fund her drug habit. Lived in Ipswich with her boyfriend.

Anneli Alderton, 24, of Colchester, Essex

Naked body found in woods at Nacton on December 10.

Sources said she had no fixed address. Her family has refused to comment.

Paula Clennell, 24

Believed one of two bodies found yesterday is Ms Clennell’s.

She spoke to a friend late on Sunday. Lived in Ipswich.

Her father Brian, told of his shock that his daughter, whom he has not seen for several years, was working as a prostitute.

Annette Nicholls 29, 5ft 3in, slim, long brown hair

The second body found yesterday is believed to be that of Ms Nicholls.

Reported missing on Monday following publicity about the murders. She had not been seen since last Thursday.