A GP was found dead at her home while hosting a sleepover for children just a mile from the King's Sandringham Estate, locals have said. Hannah Cain, in her 40s, was found dead at her house in Dersingham, Norfolk, during the early hours of Sunday. It is understood children were staying at the property for a sleepover at the time of the tragedy.
Police called to Fern Hill address
Norfolk Police said officers were called to a house in Fern Hill shortly after 2.20am on Sunday, October 4, by the ambulance service. A woman in her 40s was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived. A man, also in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to King's Lynn Police Investigation Centre, where he remains in custody.
Detectives have now been granted more time to question the suspect. Officers applied to Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Monday for a warrant of further detention, allowing them an additional 32 hours to question the man.
Community in shock
A police cordon remains in place at the address while officers continue to carry out enquiries. Ms Cain, who was known professionally as Dr Hannah Terry, worked as a GP. According to reports, children were at her home for a sleepover when the tragedy unfolded.
Her home is on the edge of the Sandringham Estate, with Dersingham situated just over a mile north of Sandringham House - the Norfolk residence favoured by generations of the Royal Family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles. The village is also around four miles from Marsh Farm, Prince Andrew's new home.
Post-mortem to take place
A Home Office post-mortem examination was due to take place on Monday as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman's death. Residents have spoken of their shock at the death in the normally peaceful Norfolk village.
One man who lives nearby told SWNS: "This is a really quiet village which is why I moved here. It's the sort of place you can leave your car unlocked overnight." Another resident, who has lived in the village since 1965, told the news agency: "Dersingham doesn't have a centre, but it has a heart."
Detectives from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team launched a murder investigation following the discovery. Detective Inspector Alix Wright said: "We are in the very early stages of this investigation, working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the woman's death. I'd ask anyone who believes they may have information that could help our investigation to please share this with us."