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Man held over city flat murders Man held over city flat murders
(about 8 hours later)
A man has been arrested by police investigating the murders of a disabled woman and her carer at a flat in Southampton.A man has been arrested by police investigating the murders of a disabled woman and her carer at a flat in Southampton.
A 47-year-old man, who is from Southampton, was held in Swanage, Dorset, on Saturday morning.A 47-year-old man, who is from Southampton, was held in Swanage, Dorset, on Saturday morning.
He was being taken to a police station in Hampshire where he was due to be questioned about the murders of Sue Hale, 49, and carer Sarah Merritt, 39.He was being taken to a police station in Hampshire where he was due to be questioned about the murders of Sue Hale, 49, and carer Sarah Merritt, 39.
The bodies were found in a flat in Town Hill Park on Thursday. The bodies were found in a flat in Townhill Park on Thursday.
Police revealed Mrs Merritt died from stab wounds.Police revealed Mrs Merritt died from stab wounds.
Sarah was a kind and loving person whose loss has devastated our whole family Peter MerrittSarah was a kind and loving person whose loss has devastated our whole family Peter Merritt
A police spokeswoman said a post-mortem examination carried out on Ms Hale on Saturday revealed she also died as a result of stab wounds.A police spokeswoman said a post-mortem examination carried out on Ms Hale on Saturday revealed she also died as a result of stab wounds.
Police are viewing CCTV footage taken from the block of 10 flats, which were evacuated as the investigation got under way.Police are viewing CCTV footage taken from the block of 10 flats, which were evacuated as the investigation got under way.
Officers broke into the ground-floor flat on Thursday at 1720 GMT and found the bodies of the two women.Officers broke into the ground-floor flat on Thursday at 1720 GMT and found the bodies of the two women.
It is believed the alarm was raised by the care worker's council employer and her husband, who reported her missing.It is believed the alarm was raised by the care worker's council employer and her husband, who reported her missing.
The block of flats have been cordoned off and evacuated Ms Hale suffered from cerebellar ataxia, a rare degenerative brain disorder which caused her difficulties in walking and led to her using walking sticks and a mobility scooter to get around.The block of flats have been cordoned off and evacuated Ms Hale suffered from cerebellar ataxia, a rare degenerative brain disorder which caused her difficulties in walking and led to her using walking sticks and a mobility scooter to get around.
Mrs Merritt, who was married with two children, was her care worker who visited twice a week to help bathe Ms Hale.Mrs Merritt, who was married with two children, was her care worker who visited twice a week to help bathe Ms Hale.
In a statement the family of Ms Hale said: "We remember Sue as a happy, outgoing and bubbly person, who was loved dearly and will be missed greatly.In a statement the family of Ms Hale said: "We remember Sue as a happy, outgoing and bubbly person, who was loved dearly and will be missed greatly.
"Despite the challenges that her disability posed, she always faced them with humour and dignity."Despite the challenges that her disability posed, she always faced them with humour and dignity.
"We are finding it very difficult to come to terms with her death and cannot understand why this had happened to such a vulnerable, loving person.""We are finding it very difficult to come to terms with her death and cannot understand why this had happened to such a vulnerable, loving person."
'Proud carer''Proud carer'
Mrs Merritt's husband, Peter, 41, of Oaktree Road, said: "Sarah was a kind and loving person whose loss has devastated our whole family.Mrs Merritt's husband, Peter, 41, of Oaktree Road, said: "Sarah was a kind and loving person whose loss has devastated our whole family.
"She was proud to be a carer and was happy to provide comfort and support for those she cared for."She was proud to be a carer and was happy to provide comfort and support for those she cared for.
"She was a loving mother to our two children and always strived to do the best for her family. As well as my wife she was my best friend.""She was a loving mother to our two children and always strived to do the best for her family. As well as my wife she was my best friend."
Mrs Merritt was a care worker employed by agency Carewatch which was contracted by Southampton City Council, according to police.Mrs Merritt was a care worker employed by agency Carewatch which was contracted by Southampton City Council, according to police.