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Hemel Hempstead murder: Nicola Cross 'did not know her killer' Nicola Cross death: Police 'spoke to' arrestee an hour before body found
(about 4 hours later)
A woman found dead at her home, an hour after police officers were first called to the same street, was not known to her killer, detectives believe. A man arrested on suspicion of a woman's murder was spoken to by officers an hour before her body was found, police have confirmed.
Nicola Cross, 37, who was stabbed, was pronounced dead at a property in Dunlin Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, at about 23:30 BST on Monday. Nicola Cross, 37, was found stabbed at her home in Hemel Hempstead at about 23:30 BST on Monday.
A 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody. Officers were called to reports a man was "acting suspiciously" in the same street an hour earlier but he was not detained, Hertfordshire Police said.
Hertfordshire Police said at this stage it does not believe Ms Cross and her attacker knew each other. A 25-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody.
Hertfordshire Police said it does not believe Ms Cross and her attacker knew each other.
The force has not yet revealed its main line of inquiry in the case.
Two children were in the house when her body was found, the force said, but they were physically unharmed.Two children were in the house when her body was found, the force said, but they were physically unharmed.
Officers are continuing with the forensic examination at the victim's home address and a post-mortem examination is due to take place later. Officers are continuing with the forensic examination at the victim's home in Dunlin Road, and a post-mortem examination is due to take place later.
The force has referred itself to the police watchdog as the woman's body was discovered an hour after officers were called to the same street and "spoke with" a man seen acting suspiciously. Ms Cross's body was discovered when police returned to the scene in response to a separate call about a break-in at a neighbour's house.
They returned an hour later after a separate call about a break-in at a neighbouring property. While they were in the neighbouring property, they heard a disturbance next door and found Ms Cross's body, police said.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
In a statement, Hertfordshire Police said: "This is an extremely shocking murder in which a young mother has lost her life.
"Our thoughts are with her children, husband and wider family at this tragic time."
A 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle has been released on police bail.A 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle has been released on police bail.