Anthony Russell: Police arrest murder suspect wanted over three deaths

A murder suspect wanted in connection with three deaths - including a mother and son - has been arrested, police have said.

Anthony Russell was detained in a Staffordshire village in the early hours of Friday morning after he was spotted in a stolen car by West Midlands Police officers on patrol.

He was wanted in connection with the deaths of Julie Williams, 58, and her son David Williams, 32, whose bodies were discovered in separate flats in Coventry earlier this week.

Officers also linked the 38-year-old with the death of a missing woman from Warwickshire after a body was found in woodland in Newbold Comyn, near Leamington, at around midday on Thursday.

She has now been formally identified as 31-year-old Nichola McGregor from Leamington.

Russell was detained after he was seen in a red Ford C-Max car in a country lane in the village of Rolleston-on-Dove at around 4am.

The vehicle was stolen in a carjacking in Leamington on Wednesday afternoon.

Russell was arrested on suspicion of murder - and robbery in relation to the car. He will be questioned later today.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Payne said: "The deaths of three people in the Midlands region this week have been shocking and devastating for the families involved. Our thoughts remain with them as they come to terms with the tragic circumstances of their deaths.

"We are grateful to everyone who has assisted with our appeals for information, but although we have a suspect in custody, our investigation must now establish exactly what has happened."

Anyone with information can contact police via Live Chat on the force website west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or call 101, or alternatively ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.