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Tributes paid to 'exceptional' Det Con Heather Cooper | Tributes paid to 'exceptional' Det Con Heather Cooper |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A police chief has paid tribute to an "exceptional" police officer whose body was found in woodland in West Sussex. | A police chief has paid tribute to an "exceptional" police officer whose body was found in woodland in West Sussex. |
Det Con Heather Cooper, 33, a mother-of-two, of West Street, Haslemere, Surrey, was found dead in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall on Sunday. | Det Con Heather Cooper, 33, a mother-of-two, of West Street, Haslemere, Surrey, was found dead in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall on Sunday. |
Surrey and Sussex Assistant Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said she was "much loved" by her colleagues. | Surrey and Sussex Assistant Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said she was "much loved" by her colleagues. |
A 35-year-old former detective, who is believed to be her partner, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. | A 35-year-old former detective, who is believed to be her partner, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. |
He used to be employed by Surrey Police, where Ms Cooper, was a serving detective constable. | He used to be employed by Surrey Police, where Ms Cooper, was a serving detective constable. |
'Completely shocked' | 'Completely shocked' |
Surrey Police said on Tuesday afternoon they had been granted a further 36 hours to question him. | Surrey Police said on Tuesday afternoon they had been granted a further 36 hours to question him. |
ACC Pinkney said Ms Cooper, who was originally from York, was given a commendation by the force in 2009 in recognition of her "professionalism, dedication and commitment". | |
She added: "Heather's death has had a profound effect on all who knew her and we are doing everything we can to support her family at this difficult time. | She added: "Heather's death has had a profound effect on all who knew her and we are doing everything we can to support her family at this difficult time. |
"She was an exceptional officer and much loved among her police colleagues, many of whom were also her friends. | "She was an exceptional officer and much loved among her police colleagues, many of whom were also her friends. |
"The police service is in many ways like a family. The death of any officer is always a time of sadness but to lose Heather under such circumstances has been particularly hard to bear." | "The police service is in many ways like a family. The death of any officer is always a time of sadness but to lose Heather under such circumstances has been particularly hard to bear." |
"I cannot praise enough the professionalism of Heather's friends and colleagues within the force, many of whom have continued to do their jobs at a time of personal grief." | "I cannot praise enough the professionalism of Heather's friends and colleagues within the force, many of whom have continued to do their jobs at a time of personal grief." |
A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later. | A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later. |
Neighbours said Ms Cooper had a three-year-old child and a baby that was about one or two months old. | Neighbours said Ms Cooper had a three-year-old child and a baby that was about one or two months old. |
Surrey Police said she was on maternity leave at the time of her death. | Surrey Police said she was on maternity leave at the time of her death. |
One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Of course we're completely shocked. This is Haslemere, nothing ever happens in Haslemere. | One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Of course we're completely shocked. This is Haslemere, nothing ever happens in Haslemere. |
"I think the most shocking thing is the destruction of a family... a family is utterly destroyed." | "I think the most shocking thing is the destruction of a family... a family is utterly destroyed." |
An area of the woodland has been cordoned off while forensic officers carry out an investigation. | An area of the woodland has been cordoned off while forensic officers carry out an investigation. |
The house in Haslemere also remains cordoned off while police forensic teams examine it. | The house in Haslemere also remains cordoned off while police forensic teams examine it. |
Anyone who saw a silver BMW estate car in the area of West Street, Haslemere, and Tennyson's Lane, near the Blackdown Woods car park, between 11:00 and 23:00 BST on Sunday has been urged to contact police. | Anyone who saw a silver BMW estate car in the area of West Street, Haslemere, and Tennyson's Lane, near the Blackdown Woods car park, between 11:00 and 23:00 BST on Sunday has been urged to contact police. |