Woman dies in suspicious circumstances at Bestival

Officers at Bestival were alerted just before 1am today, Monday 11 September, to reports of a concern for welfare of a 25-year-old woman from London who had attended the festival at Lulworth Castle.

Very sadly, following a search of the area the body of the woman was located in a wooded area on the edge of the festival site.

Her family have been informed and the coroner has been notified.

An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding her death and a cordon is in place on site while forensic examinations are being carried out.

A 28-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of murder, to enable officers to conduct an interview under caution to help establish the full circumstances.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of Dorset Police, said: “Following the discovery of the woman’s body we have now launched an investigation into her death. We have specially-trained officers supporting her family at this very difficult time.

“Enquiries are now underway to establish how she died. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and this should give us more of an indication as to the cause of her death.

“We are working closely with the festival organisers and I would appeal to anyone with any information about the incident to contact Dorset Police.”

POST UPDATED 12.9.2017 – The woman has been identified as 25-year-old Louella Eve Fletcher-Michie from London.

An initial post mortem examination took place yesterday evening, Monday 11 September, which showed no clear signs of an assault. However, further examinations will need to take place over the coming weeks, including toxicology, in order to establish if there are any substances in her system or other suspicious circumstances.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of Dorset Police, said: “Detectives are working tirelessly to investigate the full circumstances surrounding this tragic death.

“A post mortem examination took place that was inconclusive and therefore we need to undertake a number of other examinations before we can establish why she died.

“The 28-year-old man arrested is in addition being interviewed on suspicion of supply of a controlled drug. He remains in custody today under caution in order to assist officers with the investigation. He was known to Louella.

“We continue to work with the festival organisers and our thoughts are with Louella’s family at this extremely difficult time. We would ask that their privacy is respected.”