Serial killer hunt: Clothes found in river

Detectives hunting a serial killer are investigating tonight whether clothing thought to have been found in an Ipswich river is linked to the deaths of two more women.

So far, three prostitutes have been murdered, while the bodies of two further women have been found naked in woodland nearby.

Home office pathologist Dr Nat Cary was conducting a post-mortem examination on one of the two tonight, after it was removed from woods at Levington, Suffolk, earlier today.

Detectives said the second body would be removed from the area tomorrow. The two women were found naked about 150 metres apart yesterday.

Police believe the bodies are those of missing prostitutes Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29 – although officers have not yet confirmed the identities.

Tonight a police spokeswoman said officers had yet to establish whether the reported discovery of a jacket in the River Orwell and a handbag in Ipswich were of significance.

She said it was believed the items had been handed in at a police station but they had not yet been examined by members of the murder inquiry team.

The bodies were discovered a few miles from where three Ipswich prostitutes were found murdered.

Gemma Adams, 25, was found in a stream at Hintlesham on December 2. Tania Nichol, 19, was found in the same stream at Copdock on December 8 and Anneli Alderton, 24, was found in woods at Nacton on Sunday.

Miss Clennell and Miss Nicholls were reported missing earlier this week.

All five women worked as prostitutes in Ipswich and detectives fear a serial killer is targeting women in the town’s red light district.

Police say they urgently need to find the clothes worn by Miss Adams, Miss Nichol and Miss Alderton.

Forensic experts are already examining a training shoe – found in Ipswich last week – to see whether it belonged to Miss Adams.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull has said detectives are sure that none of the five women died where they were found.

“We have not found what appear to be murder scenes,” he said.

“What we are dealing with appear to be deposition sites where the bodies have been dumped.”

He said police chiefs were “emotionally overwhelmed” after learning five prostitutes had been found dead.

He said there was “stunned silence” when a meeting of police commanders was given the news.

“These tragic events have clearly overwhelmed us…emotionally,” said Mr Gull, who is leading the hunt for the killer.

“When we heard this breaking news, there was stunned silence. Tragic desperate news. I now fear the worst.”

Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged full support for officers working on the case, as the News of the World offered a “historic” £250,000 (€370,000) reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.