Man of 47 held after Ellen, 18, is murdered at beauty spot
A MAN of 47 has been arrested after a student was murdered as she walked through a local beauty spot, police said yesterday.
Ellen Higginbottom, 18, died from multiple wounds to her neck after being attacked in Orrell Water Park, in Wigan.
Police were last night investigating reports that two other women were followed in the park the day before.
Detectives said they were keeping an open mind over whether the attack was sexually motivated.
Police said they have arrested a 47-year-old man from Billinge, near Wigan, on suspicion of murder. He was still being questioned last night.
Heartbroken
Ellen’s parents Mike, a successful businessman, and Kay, 48, a headteacher, were being comforted by family liaison officers at their home in Worsley, Salford, yesterday.
Ellen’s murder happened just weeks after her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour, Ellen’s grandfather revealed yesterday.
Derek Goldstraw, 80, of Stoke-onTrent, said: “I can’t stop crying.
“We’re all so heartbroken – angel has been taken from us.
“She was such a happy and beautiful girl who lit up our lives.
“I used to take her for a walk in that park when she was a little girl. When I our sit down and think of her now the tears just come in floods.
“I’m devastated. I don’t know how her mum will be coping as she was diagnosed with a brain tumour a few weeks ago. She’ll be in bits.”
Ellen’s boyfriend Ryan Warren, also 18, was last night too upset to talk at his home in Warrington, Cheshire.
A-level student Ellen, who had dreamt of becoming a doctor, went missing after leaving Winstanley College in Wigan at 1pm on Friday.
A police search was launched when her family reported her missing at 7.30pm. Her body was found by a police officer in the park at 2.30am on Saturday.
A post mortem examination revealed that Ellen died from multiple wounds to her neck.
Police have refused to say how the injuries may have been inflicted but it is not thought they are looking for a murder weapon.
Detective Superintendent Howard Millington, from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: “This is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts are with Ellen’s family and friends. What they must be going through is unimaginable.
“We are working with Wigan Council and Winstanley College to ensure support is in place for anyone affected by this incident.”