Mother-to-be 'murdered for baby'

Police heard gunshots as they arrived to question Michelle Bica

Police in Ohio in the United States are investigating the case of a pregnant woman who they think was kidnapped and then killed for her baby.

Police looking for mother-to-be Theresa Andrews found her body buried in a garage in Ravenna - there were signs a crude Caesarean section operation has been performed.

What now appears to be her baby was found in the house of the women suspected of carrying out the crimes.

The suspect, Michelle Bica shot herself as detectives arrived to question her further about phone calls she had made to Mrs Andrews the day she had disappeared.

Neighbour, Ralph Reaser said Mrs Bica told him she had a new baby

When her house was searched, a healthy baby was discovered asleep in a cot in a newly decorated nursery.

The body of Theresa Andrews, 23, who vanished a week before her due date, was found buried in the garage nearby.

Gunshot wound

Cleveland television station WKYC reported that the victim suffered a gunshot wound to her back that punctured her heart and one of her lungs.

The station reported that the victim was not alive when the baby was cut out of her.

He's a long way from facing reality

Nicholas Phillips, Mr Andrew's Attorney

Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci said the baby was probably born on 27 September, the day Theresa Andrews disappeared.

The suspect, Michelle Bica, 39, had been questioned on Monday about mobile telephone calls she made to the victim that day.

When the police called to question further, they heard what sounded like a gunshot - her body was found in an upstairs bedroom.

A neighbour of Mrs Bica, Ralph Reaser, says she told him last week that she had just had a baby. The police are investigating reports that she had had a miscarriage in the last few months.

Jeep for sale

On the day she disappeared, Theresa Andrews had paged her husband, Jon, at work and said a woman had called inquiring about a Jeep Wrangler they were trying to sell.

When Jon Andrews got home, the house was open, the vehicle gone and his wife missing.

Mr Andrews has been spending time getting to know his baby son.

"He's a long way from facing reality," said his attorney, Nicholas Phillips.

"It's such a difficult, unique situation where you're enjoying your new-born son and mourning the loss of your wife."