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Tests due on body of dead Thornbury vicar John Suddards Thornbury vicar John Suddards 'suffered knife wounds'
(40 minutes later)
A post-mortem examination is to be held after a vicar was found dead at his vicarage near Bristol. A vicar who was found dead at his vicarage near Bristol is understood to have suffered knife wounds.
The body of the Reverend John Suddards, a former barrister, was found by builders at the property on Castle Street on Tuesday.The body of the Reverend John Suddards, a former barrister, was found by builders at the property on Castle Street on Tuesday.
Avon and Somerset Police said the builders, on a planned job, had been given a key by a caretaker.Avon and Somerset Police said the builders, on a planned job, had been given a key by a caretaker.
A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later and officers are treating the death as suspicious.
Officers are treating the death as suspicious but said the investigation was at "an early stage"Officers are treating the death as suspicious but said the investigation was at "an early stage"
Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said a pathologist and a forensic scientist were assessing the scene.Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said a pathologist and a forensic scientist were assessing the scene.
'Shocked and saddened''Shocked and saddened'
"A full search and examination of the property will take place and we're determined to find the cause of the death," he said."A full search and examination of the property will take place and we're determined to find the cause of the death," he said.
Mr Suddards, a clergyman of 22 years, joined the church following a serious car accident.Mr Suddards, a clergyman of 22 years, joined the church following a serious car accident.
He started working at St Mary's church, part of the Thornbury parish which also includes St Pauls church, in the past year.He started working at St Mary's church, part of the Thornbury parish which also includes St Pauls church, in the past year.
He is understood to have moved to the area from a parish in Witham, Essex, in the summer.
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Reverend Michael Perham, and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Reverend John Went, said they were "shocked and saddened" over the news.The Bishop of Gloucester, the Reverend Michael Perham, and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Reverend John Went, said they were "shocked and saddened" over the news.
"The Diocese of Gloucester will do everything it can to assist the police in their investigations," they said in a joint statement."The Diocese of Gloucester will do everything it can to assist the police in their investigations," they said in a joint statement.
"We are continuing to hold the community in our prayers.""We are continuing to hold the community in our prayers."
'Total horror'
At a eucharist service at St Paul's Church on Wednesday, Mr Went said "our hearts very much go out" to the church community in the town.At a eucharist service at St Paul's Church on Wednesday, Mr Went said "our hearts very much go out" to the church community in the town.
The service had been moved from St Mary's which is still within a police cordon.The service had been moved from St Mary's which is still within a police cordon.
One woman, who lives near the church but did not want to be named, said she felt "total horror that such a gentle guy could have such an end".
"This is such a quiet little corner. We're like our own village here, it's quiet an idyllic spot."
She said Mr Suddards was very popular in Essex and when he came to Thorbury for his induction service a coach-load of people came with him.
Another friend said there were no lights on in the vicarage on Monday night.
John Lopeman, 82, said: "I come this way every day. You don't expect this type of thing to happen."
'Absolutely devoted''Absolutely devoted'
Mr Suddards is understood to have moved to the area from a parish in Witham, Essex, in the summer.
The Reverend Simon Garwood, vicar at St Nicolas in Witham, said: "He had served in the area for 10 years and was much loved.The Reverend Simon Garwood, vicar at St Nicolas in Witham, said: "He had served in the area for 10 years and was much loved.
"He was absolutely devoted to the church and worked extremely hard. He gave a lot of himself for the church.""He was absolutely devoted to the church and worked extremely hard. He gave a lot of himself for the church."
John Goodman, Mayor of Witham, said he and his wife had attended the church on special occasions such as Christmas. John Goodman, mayor of Witham, said he and his wife had attended the church on special occasions such as Christmas.
He said: "He was a very quiet man who kept himself to himself but he was devoted to the church and was a very well-liked rector."He said: "He was a very quiet man who kept himself to himself but he was devoted to the church and was a very well-liked rector."
Gill Brook, the mayor of Thornbury, said the death was very unusual for the small town.Gill Brook, the mayor of Thornbury, said the death was very unusual for the small town.
"I've lived here 37 years and nothing like this has happened here," she said."I've lived here 37 years and nothing like this has happened here," she said.
"I was in the High Street at 10:30 when the police cars went past and we got the news of what had happened."I was in the High Street at 10:30 when the police cars went past and we got the news of what had happened.
She added Mr Suddards was a "very quiet, unassuming man".She added Mr Suddards was a "very quiet, unassuming man".
"The last time I saw him was about 10 days ago at a reception for the Catholic priest that was leaving and he seemed perfectly fine then.""The last time I saw him was about 10 days ago at a reception for the Catholic priest that was leaving and he seemed perfectly fine then."
Jacqueline Pillinger, 68, whose daughter works nearby, said: "This area is lovely, I'm very surprised anything like this has happened."Jacqueline Pillinger, 68, whose daughter works nearby, said: "This area is lovely, I'm very surprised anything like this has happened."