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Murder victim disturbed a prowler Murder victim disturbed a prowler
(about 1 hour later)
Police investigating the murder of a 68-year-old guesthouse owner in Bangor believe he was attacked after he disturbed a prowler.Police investigating the murder of a 68-year-old guesthouse owner in Bangor believe he was attacked after he disturbed a prowler.
Billy Spence was beaten and stabbed in the Tara Guesthouse on the County Down town's Princetown Road.Billy Spence was beaten and stabbed in the Tara Guesthouse on the County Down town's Princetown Road.
Police now know he was murdered sometime after 2200 BST on Monday. His partner discovered his body at 0730 BST on Tuesday. It is understood the Tara Guesthouse had been burgled in the last few weeks. Police now know he was murdered sometime after 2200 BST on Monday.
Detective Chief Inspector Debbie McMaster said: "As part of our inquiries, the investigation team will be speaking to witnesses who were staying at the guesthouse. His partner discovered his body at 0730 BST on Tuesday. It is understood the Tara Guesthouse had been burgled in the last few weeks.
"However, we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Princetown Road any time between 10pm last night until 7.30 on Tuesday morning." Detective Chief Inspector Debbie McMaster said a post mortem examination was ongoing.
"Initial inquiries suggest that Billy was stabbed to death. We also believe that Billy may have disturbed a prowler in a private area of the guesthouse," she said. "We are not ruling out the possibility that this prowler was a burglar.
"We know that Billy had been out visiting a friend and returned to the guesthouse between 1130 and 1145 pm on Monday. At this stage of the investigation, following forensic and pathology reports, we believe Billy died shortly after returning home."
Chairman of North Down District Policing Partnership Alex Easton said the community was shocked at the killing.Chairman of North Down District Policing Partnership Alex Easton said the community was shocked at the killing.
"I appeal for the police to be given every assistance as they investigate this," he said."I appeal for the police to be given every assistance as they investigate this," he said.