Police hunt Hannah's killer

Police hunt Hannah's killer

Hannah's body was discovered by a member of the public

Detectives hunting the killer of Hannah Foster are examining possible links with other sex crimes in the area where the 17-year-old disappeared.

Hannah was last seen in Portswood, Southampton, on Friday night as she walked home from a pub.

The A-level student was only half a mile from her home in Grosvenor Road when police believe she was abducted.

Her body was discovered on Sunday in undergrowth in Allington Lane, West End.

Officers said Hannah's body was fully-clothed but would not comment on whether she had been indecently assaulted

Hannah's parents, Trevor and Hilary, and 14-year-old sister Sarah were due to formally identify Hannah's body on Monday.

Detective Inspector Tony Adams said: "This is an extremely hard day for them. They are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their child."

He said that Hampshire Police was liaising with officers involved with the Milly Dowler murder inquiry in Surrey - although there was not thought to be a link at this stage.

Det Insp Adams' inquiry team has now been increased to more than 100 officers, including forensic search detectives.

The main line of inquiry being followed is that the killer was not known to Hannah, but detectives are not ruling out the possibility that it could be a friend.

Post-mortem result

Mobile phone records and internet use linked to Hannah are being checked.

So far more than 50 calls have been made to the police incident room and an appeal has been made for anyone aboard the number 48 Solent Blue Line bus at 2240 GMT to contact detectives.

Police are also investigating a potential link between Hannah and Southsea, Portsmouth, which is not being detailed for "operational reasons".

Hannah was last seen as she waved goodbye to her friend who was getting on a bus opposite the Mitre pub at the junction of Portswood Road and Highfield Lane.

The result of a post-mortem examination was due on Monday afternoon.