Two Dead after Cannibal Attack in Britain: BBC
9 November 2014
AFP_LONDON: A woman was murdered in an “act of cannibalism” and her suspected attacker died after he was Tasered by police at a British hotel
Police said a murder investigation was underway after the death of the 22-year-old woman at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel in the village of Argoed in south Wales, but did not specify the nature of her injuries.
The BBC reported that she was “murdered in an act of cannibalism”, and had been in a relationship with the 34-year-old suspect.
Murder suspect Matthew Williams died after police fired a Taser at him
Officers were called to the hotel, which also operates as a hostel for homeless people, at around 1:30am (0130 GMT) after receiving a report that a man was attacking a woman.
“The woman, aged 22 from Blackwood, was located with injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said a statement from Gwent Police.
“A Taser was discharged and a man was arrested… Whilst under arrest, the man became unresponsive.”
The man was given first aid but was later pronounced dead. Police described him as a local man.
Local councillor Leon Gardiner said Argoed was in a state of shock.
“This has hit the community for six,” Gardiner said. “I have lived here and represented Argoed for over 30 years and this is the worst tragedy that has happened for us as a village.”
Once a popular pub, the Sirhowy Arms was converted into a Bed and Breakfast and was used by the council to temporarily house homeless people.
Some villagers said there had previously been trouble at the hostel, the BBC reported.
The death of the suspect after he was Tasered is unusual for Britain.
A spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said that up until now, there have been no deaths attributable to Taser use recorded in the UK.
“There have been deaths where Taser has been used, but inquests have revealed these people have died from other injuries or reasons,” Acpo said on its website.
British police started using Tasers in 2004 and their use by specially trained officers is increasing, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).
The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which handles complaints against the police.
The former hotel is now a hostel for homeless and vulnerable people
Forensic teams have been searching for clues at Sirhowy Arms Hotel in Argoed
'Real shock'
June Trace, secretary of Argoed Baptist Chapel, which is next door to the hostel, said the Sirhowy Arms had been converted into accommodation for vulnerable people several years ago.
Mrs Trace said: "It's a real shock."
She told BBC Wales that the building had a "fluctuating population" of people, often aged in their 30s or 40s, who would stay there for a time before moving on.
She said there had been concern in the village when plans were put forward to convert the building, but she added: "There's never been any trouble or anything."
The chapel hall, which is next to the hostel, has been opened for police use during the investigation.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission
Councillor Leon Gardiner said villagers had been talking about the incident.
"What has happened has hit the community for six, knocked the stuffing out of the village," he said.
"I have lived here all my life - 80-odd years. I feel very upset about this."
'Sorting out violence'
Some villagers said there had previously been trouble at the hostel.
Susan Gibbs, 71, said: "Police seem to be here every other night to sort out the violence.
"We've even had people sleeping rough overnight in the hedgerows."
Another villager added: "The village didn't want the halfway house. There's quite a lot of elderly people here and they were all against it. It started up about two years ago."
Police referral
A spokesman for Caerphilly council confirmed the hotel is used as temporary accommodation for homeless people.
In a statement the spokesman said: "The authority is fully co-operating with Gwent Police as part of their ongoing investigations."
Forensics officers were at the scene following the deaths
Emergency services remained at the building on Thursday
.