Lake search for farmer in murder probe
POLICE divers searched a lake yesterday for the body of a missing millionaire farmer.
Teams trawled the murky waters after Bill Taylor’s wife and his two sons were questioned over his suspected murder.
Mr Taylor disappeared from his £1.2 million home in Gosmore, near Hitchin, Herts, at 9pm on June 3, just two days before his 70th birthday.
The lake searched by police is also in the Hitchin area.
Shortly before the farmer was last seen, his Defender Land Rover had gone up in flames in what was a suspected arson attack.
Shock
Detectives arrested his 52-year-old second wife Angela after a murder inquiry was launched earlier this week. Their sons Michael, 22, and William, 18, were also detained along with a 53-year-old man.
Police have confirmed that a 52-year-old woman and three men, aged 18, 22 and 53, were arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. But police did not name the four suspects.
The four, all from the Hitchin area, were also arrested on suspicion of arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the Land Rover fire.
They were later released on police bail as detectives continue to investigate the farmer’s disappearance.
Mrs Taylor’s eldest son Gavin Foulds, 26, the missing man’s stepson, said: “The police have made a massive mistake. That’s why they have been bailed.”
A young woman living in a rented property close to the investigation scene said: “They’re all really nice people. I saw her a week ago. Everything seemed fine.”
Another neighbour said she often sees Mrs Taylor walking two dogs along the country lanes.
She described the missing farmer as “lovely, very pleasant”.
The neighbour added that Mr Taylor was “quite a wealthy man”.
One of Mrs Taylor’s tenants said: “We got on fine. She is a lovely lady, it’s a big shock. We’re good friends with all of them, including Bill.”
Referring to the search for Mr Taylor, the man added: “She looked like she was under the weather from it. It’s not a nice thing to go through.”