Helen Bailey: Murderer of children's author 'arrested over 2010 death of first wife'

Ian Stewart is reportedly under investigation over the death of Diane Stewart

The murderer of children’s author Helen Bailey has been arrested over the death of his first wife in 2010, it has been reported.

Ian Stewart from Bedford was questioned in connection with the death of Diane Stewart in Cambridgeshire, a year after he was convicted of Bailey’s murder and Ms Stewart’s case was subsequently reopened.

The 57-year-old who was jailed for murdering his fiancee, Ms Bailey, in 2016, is now under investigation for the death of Ms Stewart, who was found in the garden of the house she shared with Stewart in June 2010.

An inquest at the time concluded she died of natural causes as a result of epilepsy but on 22 August Hertfordshire Police said a man had been arrested and then released under investigation.

A spokesperson said: “Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit have arrested a man following a re-examination of 47-year-old Diane Stewart’s death at her home in Bassingbourn on 25 June 2010.

“The 57-year-old man from Bedford was arrested on Tuesday 21 August and questioned on suspicion of murder before being released under investigation.”

Stewart was jailed for 34 years at St Albans Crown Court for smothering Ms Bailey.

The court was told he spent weeks poisoning his bride to be with prescription sedatives before smothering her, in a plot which is thought to have been motivated by greed.

The Electra Brown writer was dragged into a cesspit below the garage of the couple’s luxury home, where she remained hidden for three months.

Agencies contributed to this report