Father re-bailed over woods death

A father arrested on suspicion of murdering his 19-year-old daughter has been granted bail for a further month.

Tony Couchman, 45, was arrested on 18 October, five days after the remains of his daughter Victoria were found in woods near their home in East Sussex.

After questioning, Mr Couchman was released on bail. Sussex Police said he answered his bail on Tuesday and has been re-bailed until 16 December.

Officers have yet to establish the circumstances of his daughter's death.

The skeletal remains of single mother Miss Couchman were uncovered after children playing in Redgeland Wood, in the Queensway area of Hastings, found a skull.

'Beautiful daughter'

Medical records established the remains belonged to Miss Couchman, who lived with her father in St Leonards, about a mile from where her body was found.

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Jeff Riley said he believed she went missing some time during May this year but that she was not reported as a missing person.

Miss Couchman's mother Fiona Masters issued a poem in tribute to her daughter on Tuesday.

It read: "To my beautiful daughter, you will always live in our hearts.

"A very special, caring, loving, compassionate daughter.

"Also a devoted mother and loving sister.

"You bought us so much joy and happiness that will always live on in our hearts.

"Our heartfelt thanks to family and friends for their loving support and we would like to express as a family that we now be given time to grieve."

Mr Couchman is to answer his bail next month at Eastbourne Custody Centre.

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