Partner quizzed over suitcase body

Police are continuing to question a man after a 30-year-old woman was found dead in the garage of her house weeks after she was last seen by relatives.

The body of mother-of-two Marie Stewart was found inside a suitcase at her home in Perseverance Place, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, on Sunday.

Her 28-year-old partner, music teacher Andrew Lindo, was arrested and continues to be questioned by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of murder.

Detectives are understood to be investigating reports that Lindo and their two young children were living in the property throughout the time she was missing.

Police confirmed they were contacted on Saturday morning by relatives of Ms Stewart, who were concerned because they had not seen her since Christmas.

The body was discovered at the house by police checking out this report, a spokesman said.

A 28-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested at the house in connection with the death. The woman was later released without charge but detectives were given permission by magistrates to continue holding Lindo.

A police spokesman said: "The body can now be confirmed as that of 30-year-old Marie Stewart, of Perseverance Place, Holmfirth."

A post-mortem examination carried out on Monday revealed that cause of death was "multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma", he added.

Forensic teams have been conducting a detailed examination of the newly built rented townhouse which is on an estate between the villages of Holmfirth and Holmbridge.