Man held over Hove woman’s death

An 88-year-old woman was found dead outside a flat in Hove this morning (Thursday 3 January).

Sussex Police said that detectives had arrested a 49-year-old local man in Brighton this afternoon on suspicion of the woman’s murder.

He was known to the woman, believed to be a widow called Evelyn Stevens, but was not a relative.

Her body was found outside Baltimore Court in The Drive, Hove, shortly before 7am.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Pridgeon, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, is leading the investigation.

She said: “Detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death of the woman and I would appeal for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in The Drive before 7am this morning to contact police.”

Detectives were still at the scene in The Drive this afternoon. A post-mortem examination is due to be take place late tomorrow afternoon (Friday 4 January).

Anyone with information that could help the police with their inquiries is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101.