Man arrested on suspicion of murder after 'landlady's' body is found in pub's freezer

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:46 PM on 25th March 2010

Becky Thorpe, landlady at the Compasses Inn, has been found dead in a freezer

A man has been arrested after a woman's body was found stored in a freezer at a country pub.

The body, believed to be that of landlady Becky Thorpe, was found after staff at the Compasses Inn in Snettisham, Norfolk reported that the 28-year-old was missing.

Police are waiting for the body to defrost before it can be formally identified.

A 49-year-old man has been arrested on the Isle of Wight on suspicion of murder and will be brought back to Norfolk for questioning today.

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry, who is leading the investigation, said the body was found in a freezer in an outbuilding behind the pub.

'The lady was discovered by a police officer who had been flagged down by someone working at the pub,' he said.

'As a result of what the employee said, the officer went and checked the outbuilding.'

But police have taken the unusual step of making a statement regarding online rumours about the case that began immediately after the body was found.

Mr Fry said he was very concerned about comments made on websites including Twitter following the discovery

He said speculation was inaccurate and distressing.

The Compasses Pub, in Snettisham, Norfolk, is cordoned off with police tape following the discovery of a woman's body

A police tent in the pub garden after the gruesome discovery as a forensic team moved in

'I am very concerned that the speculation regarding this incident, particularly on social media sites and in the local area, could cause distress to members of the public, said Mr Fry.

I would like to stress that most of the comments I have seen or heard are inaccurate and should be treated with caution.

The Compasses, which stands near the middle of the village, re-opened last Easter after being refurbished by Miss Thorpe and her partner Mike Tucker.