Murder detectives acting on new information have arrested a woman in her 40s on suspicion of killing Taylor Charlton, a 15-year-old boy who vanished from his Barnstaple home on May 8. The arrest followed the discovery of his body after police received fresh intelligence.
Disappearance and Last Sighting
Taylor Charlton was last seen on CCTV near the Tarka Leisure Centre and the Seven Brethren car park at 10:41pm on May 8, walking in the direction of the River Taw. His disappearance sparked a extensive search by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Arrest and Investigation
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the arrest in a statement: 'A woman has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the disappearance of Taylor Charlton in Barnstaple. Acting on new information, an arrest on suspicion of murder has been made by police. This took place in the North Devon area on Thursday 2 July.'
The suspect, a woman aged in her 40s, will be interviewed as part of the investigation. Police emphasized that this is a new line of enquiry at an extremely early stage. 'While the suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder, we would like to stress that this is a new line of enquiry and it is at an extremely early stage,' the force added.
Family Support and Public Appeal
Taylor's family have been informed of the development and continue to be supported by specially-trained officers. Police urged the public to avoid speculation and refrain from sharing unconfirmed information online. 'We appreciate how upsetting this news will be for Taylor’s family, friends, and the wider community. We are asking members of the public to help our investigation by avoiding speculation and by not sharing any unconfirmed information online,' the statement read.
The arrest remains one line of enquiry among many, and officers are working tirelessly to ensure all avenues are fully investigated. Further updates will be provided when possible.
