River body prompts murder probe

A murder investigation has started after the discovery of a woman's body in a river in south Lincolnshire.

Police said the body was found in the River Welland between Crowland and Deeping St James on Saturday morning.

The woman is said to be at least 30 years old and "white European" in appearance, according to police.

A stretch of river was sealed off while forensic scientists examined the area. A post-mortem examination confirmed the woman died in suspicious circumstances.

Det Supt Roger Bannister said possible links with the murder of two prostitutes in Suffolk and the discovery of the body of a third, were a "line of inquiry" but "not a priority".

It is understood that no form of identification was found on the body, although some possessions have been recovered.

The result of the post-mortem examination and the woman's injuries "lead me to think that the death is suspicious" added Mr Bannister.