Arrests made in East Dorset murder investigation

Guy Hedger was killed in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 30 April in his home in Castlewood in Ringwood. The post-mortem examination found he died as a consequence of gunshot wounds.

Officers made the arrests on Tuesday 2 May in the Bournemouth area.

A 41-year-old Bournemouth man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and aggravated burglary. A 44-year-old Bournemouth man and a 40-year-old Bournemouth woman have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary. All three people are currently being questioned by detectives.

Properties in Winterborne Stickland near Blandford and in Verney Close in West Howe in Bournemouth are also being searched for evidence in relation to the investigation.

Superintendent Kevin Connolly, of Dorset Police, said, “I would like to thank the public for coming forward with information. We are very grateful for the all the public support we have received.

“We have worked tirelessly on this investigation which still continues even though arrests have been made.

“Our appeal still stands for anyone with information that could aid our investigation to come forward as any small detail may be important.

“In particular, we are interested in any suspicious activity after 3am on Sunday 30 April in the Verney Close area of West Howe and in Winterborne Stickland.”

UPDATED 4 MAY 2017

A fourth person has been arrested in relation to the murder investigation.

The latest arrest was made on Wednesday 3 May after the man attended Bournemouth police station.

Superintendent Kevin Connolly, of Dorset Police, said, “In total four arrests have now been made.

“However, our enquiries still continue and our appeal still stands for anyone with information that could aid us to come forward. This is the case for anything relating to suspicious activity after 3am on Sunday 30 April 2017 in the Verney Close area of West Howe and in Winterborne Stickland as well as information about anyone acting unusually in Castlewood in the days or hours leading up to Guy Hedger being killed.

“We would like to thank everyone who has contacted us already. The support we have received from the public has been encouraging.”

A 40-year-old man from the Blandford area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and aggravated burglary.

This post was edited (4/5/2017). In the sub heading the word ‘four’ has been inserted instead of ‘three’ and an update has been included.