Girl, 12, helps police in murder probe

A 12-year-old girl was today helping detectives investigating the murder of a nurse.

Police say the youngster may have been alone in a flat with the body of 32-year-old Ella Chimweta for a week.

Officers found the dead woman in Colchester, Essex, on Monday after the girl alerted neighbours.

Tests showed that Ms Chimweta, who worked at Colchester Hospital, had been asphyxiated.

A police spokeswoman said the girl had been staying at the flat but officers were not sure whether she was related to Ms Chimweta.

She said detectives were speaking to the youngster in an effort to establish what had happened in the flat and when.

Detectives said a man they want to speak to may have left the country.

They said Daniel Tambengwa lived at the flat but had not been seen since July 9.

The spokeswoman said Mr Tambengwa was about 30, black, stocky and had short “Afro” hair.