Ex-Boyfriend Of Murder Victim Found Dead

The former boyfriend of a murdered Red Cross worker, who was wanted over her killing, has been found dead near a railway line, police have said.

Detectives launched a manhunt for 35-year-old Martin Collett after the body of Angela Hoyt, 34, was discovered last Tuesday.

She had made a report to Hertfordshire Police about harassment days before her death.

Miss Hoyt's body was discovered at around 5.20pm on Tuesday at her home in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Mr Collett was then found dead by police late on Friday night, near to Hatfield train station.

A police spokesman said: "Hertfordshire officers were informed by the British Transport Police (BTP) later that night and have been working with the BTP to identify the man.

"We can now confirm that it is that of Martin Collett, who was wanted for the murder of Angela Hoyt."

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Ross from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Now we have found Martin, this brings our search to a conclusion and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Angela's death."

He added: "This is an extremely tragic case involving two people who were known to each other."

Police had previously been focusing the search for Mr Collett on the grounds of a stately home in Hatfield after various reports he had been seen in the area.

Officers said both deaths would now be handed to Hertfordshire Coroner Service to investigate.

The former couple both used to work for the Home Office - Mr Collett as a briefing manager for Labour home secretaries David Blunkett and Charles Clarke and Miss Hoyt as a junior member of the media team.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an investigation into the force's response to Miss Hoyt's harassment complaint.

In a statement released by police, Ms Hoyt's family described her as a "very ambitious and driven girl".

They said: "She had a passion for human rights and wanted to use her work to help improve the lives of those less fortunate. She had strong opinions and convictions."

Ms Hoyt, originally from Ontario, Canada, had recently returned from a three-month role in Pakistan as part of her work with the Red Cross.

She had been working as a public affairs and communications adviser with the International Committee of the Red Cross since February 2008.