Two held following model’s murder

Police have confirmed that a second man has been arrested in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old model.

Sally Anne Bowman was stabbed to death close to her home in Croydon, South London, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police confirmed that a 26-year-old man from Addiscombe in Croydon was arrested earlier on Tuesday morning in connection with the murder.

Police are also continuing to question a 20-year-old man, believed to be a former boyfriend of the victim, who was arrested on Monday. The man is expected to be held in custody until Wednesday after an extension was granted to question him further.

Two other men, aged 25 and 26, were also arrested in connection with Sally Anne’s murder on Monday night. They have since been released on bail.

Miss Bowman, a hairdresser who was signed to a local modelling agency, had been out with friends in Croydon on Saturday night. She was last seen in Croydon town centre around 2am.

It was reported that the teenager’s neighbours had heard screams in the early hours of Sunday morning. Sally Anne’s body was discovered at around 6:30am, lying on the pavement next to a skip close to her home.

It was reported that Miss Bowman had been found naked, although police have not said whether she was sexually assaulted. A post-mortem revealed that she died from multiple stab wounds and a search for the murder weapon is continuing.

Police said that they are keeping an “open mind” about the motive for the attack and have warned women in the area not to walk home late at night alone.

Sally Anne’s stepfather and two stepsisters are reported to have visited the scene to lay flowers on Monday. The family also released a statement, which said: “We love and miss her so much and wish to stress that if anyone has the slightest information about Sally Anne’s death, even if they don’t think it is important, please come forward.”

(KMcA/SP)