CARLING’S CONFESSION
THE owner of a £6million restaurant chain frequented by celebrities has been found dead in her home.
Friends said Sue Addis, 69, died following following an altercation. A boy of 17 who was known to her is in custody.
Mrs Addis ran Donatello and Pinocchio in Brighton, which were frequented by Premier League footballers and stars including the actor Bill Nighy.
Police were last night guarding the detached house in which her body was found on Thursday night. A friend, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘By the sounds of things there has been some sort of altercation in the house
‘Life and soul of her business’
and Sue has suffered some injuries – that’s all I know.
‘It a total tragedy. Sue was an amazing woman. She was very, very busy working from dawn till late at night but she would still give her time generously to help everyone out. I’m just in tears about it.
‘I can’t imagine what has happened but it is just dreadful to think about. Just shocking, very shocking.’ A neighbour said he believed Mrs Addis lived alone in the two-storey property in a culde-sac in Withdean, Brighton.
Another resident said: ‘She was the life and soul of her restaurant business and everyone who was anyone in Brighton and Hove knew and loved Sue.
‘It is absolutely devastating. She had been really active during Covid-19 pandemic working for charities and helping others as she always had.
‘Just before Christmas she was delivering Christmas dinners to the homeless with a relative and she has always been very actively involved when it comes to helping others. When I saw the news I thought: Has this really happened on our little quiet road? It’s frightening and tragic.’
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said many of her constituents would be heartbroken by the murder. She added: ‘So shocked and saddened to hear devastating news of the death of the amazing Sue Addis.
‘She was such a special presence in the city, her passion for this place and its people was infectious, and her kindness was legendary. She’ll be hugely missed.’
Former Hove MP Ivor Caplin said: ‘I have known the family for over 30 years. I am shocked at her death last night. My thoughts and condolences are with the family. Sue was so passionate about our city.’ A Sussex Police spokesman said: ‘The 17-year- old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.
‘The boy and woman are known to each other. Police are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to the crime and there is no risk to the local community.’
Mrs Addis’s multi-million chain of restaurants was once named as one of the top 100 in the country and Donatello has sponsored Brighton and Hove Albion FC.
She opened Pinocchio in 1987 with her husband Pietro, 81, who is originally from Sardinia. Donatello followed four years later. They ran the two sites – and other restaurants – with their three sons, Leo, Stefano and Mikele.
The couple met in 1967 when she was studying dance in London and they later became well known for their fundraising for the arts in Brighton.