Thursday, December 30, 2010

Joanna Yeates landlord Chris Jefferies arrested on suspicion of her murder


  • Bachelor and former English teacher picked up at 7am

  • Jo's parents say they are 'pleased' arrest has been made

  • Forensics remove landlord's silver car from outside flat

  • Jefferies was Head of English at public school nearby

  • He campaigned for gun range and prayer books



  • Police today seized Joanna Yeates' landlord's car after he was arrested on suspicion of her murder.
    The silver Chrysler was loaded up and driven away hours after Chris Jefferies, 65, was taken into custody in a dawn raid.
    The bachelor's arrest came hours after he claimed he had watched as three people left Jo’s flat on the night she vanished.
    He is now being questioned on suspicion of murdering the landscape gardener, who went missing before Christmas.
    A statement from Avon and Somerset police said: ‘Just after 07.00hrs this morning, police attended an address in Canynge Road and arrested a 65-year-old man on suspicion of murder.
    ‘He has been taken into custody at a police station within the Avon and Somerset force area and detained for questioning.
    ‘Detectives investigating Joanna’s murder are continuing to carry out forensic examinations, and are also continuing to appeal for anyone with any information that can help the enquiry to call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
    Mr Jefferies, a former teacher at the nearby public school Clifton College, lives directly above the basement flat he rented to Miss Yeates.
    The body of the 25-year-old, who had been strangled, was found by dog walkers on Christmas morning, three miles from her £200,000 flat in the upmarket area of Clifton, Bristol.
    She was last seen by friends on December 17 and was reported missing two days later by her live-in boyfriend Greg Reardon when he returned from a weekend with relatives.
    Yesterday, Mr Jefferies apparently told police how he saw a trio leaving Miss Yeates’ flat on Friday, December 17.
    Wearing a long coat with fur collar and carrying a Waterstone’s shopping bag, he told reporters: 'Everything I am aware of I have told the police and I really don’t want to talk about it.'
    A £10,000 reward was yesterday offered to help police catch her killer and fresh CCTV was released of Miss Yeates buying cider in a branch of Bargain Booze on the last night she was seen.
    But police inquiries are now centring on the flat she shared with her fellow architect Mr Reardon, 27.
    Forensic experts have removed bags of potential evidence and even the front door in their search to discover exactly what happened.
    They are also ripping up floorboards inside the flat and the rest of the house in their hunt for clues.

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