Dersingham murder investigation launched after woman in her 40s found dead

What happened in Dersingham?

A murder investigation has been launched in the Norfolk village of Dersingham after a woman was found dead at a home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police officers were called to a property in Fern Hill, a residential street in the village, which sits directly adjacent to the royal Sandringham estate. The ambulance service alerted police to the property shortly after 2.20am on Sunday, 4 October.

The woman, who was in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after emergency services arrived. Her identity has not yet been formally released by officers.

Who has been arrested?

A man, also in his 40s, was arrested at the property on suspicion of murder. He was taken by officers to the King's Lynn Police Investigation Centre, where he remains in custody for questioning.

Detectives from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team have taken over the inquiry. A police cordon was put up around the house on Sunday and is expected to remain in place while forensic officers examine the scene.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team is a specialised joint unit that handles the most serious crimes, including homicides, across the two East Anglian counties. The involvement of these specialist detectives indicates the seriousness with which the constabulary is treating the case from its outset.

What is the next step in the investigation?

Detective Inspector Alix Wright, who is leading the investigation, said officers are working to piece together what happened inside the home.

"We are in the very early stages of this investigation, working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the woman's death," DI Wright said. "I'd ask anyone who believes they may have information that could help our investigation to please share this with us."

A Home Office post-mortem examination, which will determine the precise cause of death, is scheduled to take place on Monday, 5 October.

Dersingham is one of the largest villages in west Norfolk, located around six miles north of King's Lynn and close to the Norfolk coast. The village is tightly knit and sits near the boundary of the Sandringham estate, making the sudden police presence and murder inquiry a significant shock to the local community.

How to contact Norfolk Police

Police have asked anyone who was in the area of Fern Hill late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning, or who has any information about the incident, to call Norfolk Police on 101.

Callers are asked to quote incident number 27 of Sunday, 4 October.