UPDATE: 'Items of interest' found at former murderer's home

SIGNIFICANT developments in the Becky Godden-Edwards murder investigation have led police to turn a three-bed house in Ashbury Avenue upside-down.

Information has come to light linking the property in Nythe, which was owned by convicted killer Christopher Halliwell prior to 2007, with the murder of Becky, who was discovered dead in a field in Eastleach in 2011, more than eight years after she disappeared.

Halliwell, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Sian O’Callaghan, resided at 12 Ashbury Avenue when he was arrested in May 2011, at which point a thorough search of his home was carried out.

At the time, 24 Ashbury Avenue, where Halliwell had lived before 2007, was subject to some activity but was not searched. That address is now the focus of police attention.

Cadaver dogs trained to pick up even a trace of blood years after it is spilled have been brought in from South Wales while investigators conduct fingertip searches, and detectives have not ruled out the possibility of more victims.

DCI Sean Memory, head of major crime and lead investigator, said: “There has been some significant activity and we have come here to search the house as part of an ongoing investigation as I believe it is linked to the murder of Becky Godden.

“We have a number of crime scene investigators who will conduct meticulous fingertip searches of the property.

“This will include the removal of flooring, exploring space behind walls and in loft areas and a methodical search carried out until I am satisfied that the entire house has been thoroughly examined.

“Cadaver dogs from South Wales Police will also play a key part in the examination of the property; these dogs can detect minute traces of blood or human remains even if it has been there for many years.

“We are also receiving assistance from colleagues from other agencies who are providing specialist search equipment.”

The team is trying to account for Becky’s movements after the last confirmed sighting of her in Broadgreen on December 27, 2002, and will now focus on the Nythe area.

“This address is now pivotal to my investigations,” added DCI Memory.

“When Christopher Halli-well was convicted he resided at number 12. I am interested in this address because it may be connected to an earlier event. Someone has lived here and then moved down the road, and number 12 is not connected at all to this activity.

“This house was subject to some activity in relation to the Sian O’Callaghan investigation back in 2011. Until we have searched it properly we cannot implicate it or eliminate it from these enquiries.

“Becky was last seen alive in December 2002 and there are absolutely no leads at all of any sightings in 2003.

“We are also commencing a wide area of house to house enquiries with a poster and leaflet drop appealing for witnesses to Becky’s last movements at the end of 2002 into 2003. That is how we have arrived here today.”

The current residents of the property have been given alternative accommodation until the search is concluded.

“In no way shape or form are the current residents of the property connected to the investigation and they have been co-operating fully,” said DCI Memory. “They are a family with small children and they moved into the address in 2007.

“We will be searching for the best part of this week, and we will then liaise with the owners as to what happens next.”

Leads are also being followed in relation to a silver Volvo, registration T661 LGP, which is thought to have been used in Becky’s murder, as detectives have traced a man who bought it at auction in 2004.

“We have had some very good responses to the appeal about the car and had two positive calls, one of which was really important,” added DCI Memory. “I think I have identified who purchased the car from auction in 2004 and enquiries are being made.”

After more than 600 items were removed from a remote pond in Ramsbury, where Sian’s boots were discovered, a number have been identified as of interest to the investigation and will go through further tests. A shotgun found at the scene has been eliminated from enquiries.

“Each item has now been reviewed and a number are being sent for further expert analysis,” said DCI Memory.

“I cannot comment on what those items are, but the search was linked to the murder of Sian O’Callaghan and I believe she was taken there at some point. The enquiries will take several weeks to come back, and we have had a thorough process of initial reviews.”

Swindon commander Supt Andrew Carr said any concerned members of the public should come to his officers who will be in the area over coming days.

“There will be a large amount of police activity in Ashbury Avenue this week and the road will be closed to non residents at the junction with Chalford Avenue for safety reasons and to facilitate these essential searches,” he said.

“There is a mobile police point near Ashbury Avenue manned 24 hours a day where anyone with any concerns can come to ask questions and either a detective or police presence will be there.

“There will be no reduction in Swindon policing and we have brought in additional support. Local officers will know what is happening and can communicate that to the public.”

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. If you have information please call 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously if preferred.