Manhunt grows for 'Ipswich Ripper'

Police in England will confirm today the identities of two more victims of the so-called Ipswich Ripper.

The women are expected to be named as Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls - the discovery of their bodies yesterday took the total of murdered prostitutes to five.

Miss Clennell had not been seen since Saturday night, while Miss Nicholls had not been seen since December 4.

A massive manhunt is under way and detectives are hoping to recover DNA evidence today which could aid their search for the killer.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull of Suffolk Police, who is leading the investigation, said yesterday the “natural assumption” was that the bodies discovered this afternoon were those of Miss Clennell, 24, and Miss Nicholls, 29, both from Ipswich.

The bodies were discovered near Levington, a village to the south of Ipswich.

All five murdered prostitutes were found close to the A14 dual carriageway which links the Suffolk port of Felixstowe with the Midlands.

The naked body of Gemma Adams, 25, of Ipswich, was found on December 2 in woodland at Hintlesham, on the outskirts of Ipswich. She had last been 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 and had last been seen on October 30.

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

Referring to the latest bodies to be found, Mr Gull said: “These two bodies have been found not far from where Anneli was found and I fear the worst. They may well be Paula and Annette.”

No other prostitutes were currently missing, the detective added.

It is from the area where Miss Alderton was discovered that police are hoping to recover DNA evidence. They say it was likely her body was carried to the woodland where it was found.

Suffolk Chief Constable Alastair McWhirter said the force was bringing in assistance from other forces around the country to help in the inquiry.

Only last Tuesday Miss Clennell said she was prepared to dice with danger by going back on the streets because “I need the money”.

In an interview with ITV News, she said the killings had made her “a bit wary about getting into cars” but she would probably still do it anyway.

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

Miss Clennell’s father Brian, from Berwick, pleaded for people to get in touch to help find the “pervert” and “psycho” who was carrying out the murders.

Chris Mole, Labour MP for Ipswich, said: “We know that the police are throwing everything they have got at this at the minute.”

Miss Alderton’s mother Maire lives with her partner, Tim Smith in Harwich, Essex.

The couple were not at home yesterday.