Swanwick Murder RSS Feed


Paula Poolton Murder Investigation

Police probe murder of missing Saints steward

9:10am Wednesday 29th October 2008 in


A murder hunt continued in Hampshire today after the body was discovered of a missing woman.

Police were today back at the spot where the body of Paula Poulton was found near a train station.

The gruesome discovery was made just hours before an appeal to find the missing Southampton Football Club steward was set to be screened last night before thousands of Saints fans at a home match against Coventry.

The Daily Echo understands that Paula’s family were told the devastating news late last night.

Detectives from the county’s major crimedepartment, leading the inquiry, confirmed the body had been found near to Swanwick train station in Duncan Road.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman confirmed a murder hunt had been launched and urged witnesses to come forward.

She said the body was yet to be formally identified and a post-mortem was likely to be carried out today.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren O’Callaghan, leading the inquiry, said: “I am appealing for anyone with information about this incident to come forward. “It is possible that someone in the area may have heard or seen something suspicious.”

Call the major incident room on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The 40-year-old had been missing since October 17 when she was seen in Portsmouth at lunchtime.

Comments(13)

Bright Spark says...
7:29am Wed 29 Oct 08

Surely her car hasn't been parked there for nearly two weeks? It's less than 2 miles from her home, someone must have seen it (the police or public). I also hope that if the police have any descriptions of suspects that they release those details now, rather than in 2 months time, which is something they seem to do too often, don't know why. It’s also odd that the day she went missing she travelled from Titchfield to Portsmouth, but then went to Bursledon (Tesco - completely opposite direction). Why didn’t she go to the Cosham or Whiteley branches (on her route/closer)? Her cars movements just seem a bit strange.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Locks Lad says...
8:19am Wed 29 Oct 08

The car could easily have been there that long. The road is used by commuters travelling from Swanwick Station and no-one would notice just one more car. Hopefully with the amount of people using Duncan Road though, someone will now realise something about the car.
As for her going to Bursledon Tescos - plenty of Locks Heath people use that shop rather than the closer Whiteley shop.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

amalys says...
8:39am Wed 29 Oct 08

Where on Duncan Road the black Peugeot is alleged to have been parked I don't know, but I don't recall seeing any cars parked on the hill leading to Botley Road (closest to the station) on Wed 22nd when I left Swanwick station just after 10pm.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Lone Ranger says...
8:49am Wed 29 Oct 08

So very sad. I knew Paula well being a steward at SFC for many years. My heart goes out to all concerned

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

samsie says...
8:55am Wed 29 Oct 08

RIP Paula, i didnt know you however my partner worked with you at SFC. I hope they find out what happened! Thoughts go out to her friends and family

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Andy Locks Heath says...
9:26am Wed 29 Oct 08

amalys wrote:
Where on Duncan Road the black Peugeot is alleged to have been parked I don't know, but I don't recall seeing any cars parked on the hill leading to Botley Road (closest to the station) on Wed 22nd when I left Swanwick station just after 10pm.
Don;t tell us - tell the police!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Bright Spark says...
10:02am Wed 29 Oct 08

Locks Lad wrote:
The car could easily have been there that long. The road is used by commuters travelling from Swanwick Station and no-one would notice just one more car. Hopefully with the amount of people using Duncan Road though, someone will now realise something about the car.
As for her going to Bursledon Tescos - plenty of Locks Heath people use that shop rather than the closer Whiteley shop.
Probably not if they're in Portsmouth first Locks Lad. Just seems a bit strange.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Locks Lad says...
10:27am Wed 29 Oct 08

Bright Spark wrote:
Locks Lad wrote: The car could easily have been there that long. The road is used by commuters travelling from Swanwick Station and no-one would notice just one more car. Hopefully with the amount of people using Duncan Road though, someone will now realise something about the car. As for her going to Bursledon Tescos - plenty of Locks Heath people use that shop rather than the closer Whiteley shop.
Probably not if they're in Portsmouth first Locks Lad. Just seems a bit strange.
It seems that this poor woman didn't commit suicide and therefore what "seems strange" to you may seem perfectly logical to her. It appears that she has been murdered and dumped there so her actions prior to her attack are of no consequence other than to establish when and where she was. This doesn't seem to be a someone "going off the rails" and walking out but someone who for some reason was murdered.
As for her choice of supermarket, perhaps she just preferred that store. I have five supermarkets closer to my home than the one I use in Fareham. I just like that store.
Anyhow, this is not the point. The point is there is a family devestated and a murderer to find.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

anon Soton says...
10:37am Wed 29 Oct 08

Rest in Peace Paula, such a funny, lovely, lively lady. A good friend. Will defintaly be missed. Lets hope justice is done & the Bast*rd who did this to her spends the rest of his life in prison. Thoughts are with her husband, mum, dad, brother and all those who knew her x

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Bright Spark says...
10:58am Wed 29 Oct 08

Locks Lad say: "so her actions prior to her attack are of no consequence other than to establish when and where she was". ... .... The point is if the car has only been found outside a train station 12 days after she went missing, and if no one has seen it there in that time, where has it been? At what stage did someone take it there and dispose of her body?

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

whizzpop says...
11:14am Wed 29 Oct 08

Can't believe the body was never noticed there, so near to the road as the white tent depicts. The body must have been dropped off at some point during yesterday.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

miss sunshine says...
3:33pm Wed 29 Oct 08

R-I-P Paula. My thoughts are with the family at such a sad time. Lets hope they catch who done it before they strike again. x x x

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

anne stelling says...
8:09pm Thu 30 Oct 08

Paula Paula how I will miss you, your cheery smile and cheeky comments,so sad,you looked after me when I first worked with you at St Marys, RIP

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

More Swanwick Murder stories


Police at the scene Police at the scene near Swanwick train station

Police at the scene

Police at the scene near Swanwick train station



Most popular







Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »

Local Businesses