Body found af ter hunt for murder suspect in crossbow killing case
A MAN being hunted by police over the crossbow murder of his neighbour was found dead last night.
Anthony Lawrence, 56, vanished after an apparent dispute over late-night noise ended with the death of father-of-three Shane Gilmer, 30, and his pregnant girlfriend Laura Sugden being injured.
The tiny village of Southburn, near Driffield, East Yorkshire, was put on lockdown as police continued their hunt for the suspected killer.
But the manhunt ended last night when police found the body of Lawrence ‘in a vehicle’ in rural North Yorkshire.
Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Miller said the body of a man believed to be the suspect was discovered at 6pm.
Inquiries by officers led to his body being located, he added.
Police believe Lawrence attacked the couple at their home, and a crossbow recovered from the scene is being examined by forensic scientists.
Miss Sugden, 27, who works for the local council, fled the house bleeding from a wound to raise the alarm.
Villager Chris King, 25, a factory worker, said Miss Sugden ran to a large farmhouse nearby at 9.20pm on Friday. ‘The lady had blood pouring down her face,’ he said. ‘It was terrifying. The woman was panicking and was scared.’
Miss Sugden and Mr Gilmer were taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, but he was later confirmed to have died from his injuries.
Detective Chief Superintendent Judi Heaton, of Humberside Police, said: ‘Laura’s injuries were not life-threatening and she and the baby are stable.’ A local man said he had heard that Lawrence, who lived alone, had threatened Mr Gilmer and Miss Sugden with an axe in a dispute over late-night noise.
Lawrence was said to be concerned about ‘loud music’ from his neighbours’ home.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: ‘We were told this guy had gone around and threatened them with an axe a month or so ago, but we don’t know any more details. Apparently, there was some problem over noise.’
Humberside Police refused to discuss details of the problem between Lawrence – also known by the name Tony Howarth – and the neighbours, but indicated that they were aware of the background.
Police named him as being wanted on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.