A woman in her 40s has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of teenager Taylor Charlton in north Devon. The 15-year-old was last seen on May 8, and efforts to locate him led to the recovery of a body from the River Taw near Sticklepath, Barnstaple.
Devon and Cornwall Police have disclosed that new information prompted the arrest as part of the ongoing investigation, emphasizing that the inquiries are in the early stages. The spokesperson stated that the woman will be interviewed as part of the investigation but highlighted that the murder suspicion is a new lead and is at a preliminary phase.
The teenager’s family has been informed of the latest development and is receiving support from trained officers. This arrest marks the second one made by the police regarding Taylor’s disappearance. A 20-year-old man was previously detained on suspicion of murder and later released on bail.
Taylor, who was 14 when he went missing and has since turned 15, was last spotted on CCTV near Tarka leisure centre in Barnstaple, heading towards the River Taw. His parents expressed their anguish and longing for his return, with his mother pleading for him to come back home and his father describing him as a loving and special young man.
The discovery of suspected human remains in the River Taw prompted police intervention on June 24, leading to the recovery of a body. Formal identification is pending, but the family has been informed. The police have urged the community to refrain from speculation and await official updates, assuring continued presence and investigations in the area.
