A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police recovered a body believed to be missing teenager Taylor Charlton from the River Taw in north Devon.
Arrest and Investigation Details
The suspect was detained on July 2, 2026, as part of the investigation into the 15-year-old's disappearance. Taylor was last seen on the night of May 8, prompting an extensive search operation. Last week, police recovered a body from the River Taw near Sticklepath, Barnstaple, which is believed to be the teenager.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “We have received new information and as a result have taken swift action to fully understand this. That has included the arrest today of a woman, aged in her 40s, who will be interviewed as part of our enquiries.”
Police Statement on New Line of Enquiry
“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 spokesman added. “Taylor’s family have been informed of this development and continue to be supported by specially-trained officers.”
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active, with police urging anyone with information to come forward. The arrest marks a significant development in the case, though authorities caution that enquiries are ongoing.
