A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing of a 68-year-old housekeeper in a quiet Hampshire village.
Discovery of a Fatal Attack
Gilly Livie was discovered with serious injuries inside her thatched cottage home in the village of Cheriton at approximately 10.30am on Friday, January 9. Paramedics and police officers attended the address off the B3046 but were unable to save her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination later confirmed that Ms Livie died as a result of a stab wound to the neck. Specialist officers from Hampshire Constabulary are providing support to her family.
Suspect Found with Life-Threatening Injuries
At the same property, officers located a 39-year-old man from the nearby town of Alton. He was found with what were initially described as life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
After more than a week in hospital, on Monday, January 19, detectives formally arrested the man on suspicion of Ms Livie's murder. A police spokesman confirmed the man will remain under guard in hospital until he is deemed well enough to be taken to a police station for questioning.
Police Appeal and Community Reassurance
Inspector Stuart Ross stated that detectives are continuing to work hard to establish the exact circumstances of the tragic incident. He thanked the local community in Cheriton for their patience during the initial investigative phase.
"I would like to reiterate that we do not believe there is any wider threat or risk to the local community," Inspector Ross said. The force is appealing for further information, particularly from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage in the Cheriton area between 11pm on January 8 and 11am on January 9.
In a related development, Hampshire Constabulary has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). This is standard procedure as it is understood police officers attended the address on a prior occasion before the fatal incident.
A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, paid tribute to Ms Livie, describing her as "a lovely lady." The investigation into her death remains ongoing.
