A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead after a suspected axe attack.
Forensic teams have been pictured in Dartmouth, Devon, after what police called a ‘serious disturbance’ unfolded last night.
Devon and Cornwall Police said today that they were called around 9.20pm yesterday to Newcomen Road, where they found a woman who was pronounced dead.
A local business owner told Daily Mail: ‘Everybody in the town is saying the victim was hit with an axe, it’s just sickening if that is the case.
‘I don’t think there are many people living in there but there seems to be a lot of issues with drugs and mental health.’
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‘Her next-of-kin have been informed,’ the police said, adding: ‘A man in his 40s was also taken to hospital having sustained facial injuries which are not believed to be life-changing.
‘A local man in his 30s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. The suspect, who is a British national, remains in police custody while enquiries continue.
‘Officers are not looking for any outstanding suspects at this time.’
One neighbour said: ‘It was mayhem last night. Paramedics and police doing a fab job and thoughts and prayers with the victims.
‘I’m shocked. I have never herd of anything like this in Dartmouth. My thoughts are with anyone caught up in this.’
Witnesses said a multi-emergency service response, including an air ambulance, were seen on Newcomen Road in Dartmouth.
Another local: ‘I saw the helicopter and the fire engines coming out from the ferry. There were about five or fire engines. It looked fairly unusual.’
Another said: ‘It looked huge from the Kingswear side. I saw several ambulances, 4 fire engines and seven police cars plus the air ambulance between about 9.30 and 11, all racing along the embankment. I didn’t think we had so many resources.’
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