Murder hunt after missing Paula's body found (From Daily Echo)

Police probe murder of missing Saints steward

9:10am Wednesday 29th October 2008 in Video By Ash Bolton, Senior Winchester Reporter

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.