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Argoed hotel cannibal murder investigation continues | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Investigations are continuing after a woman was murdered in an act of cannibalism and the suspect died after Gwent Police fired a Taser at him. | |
Matthew Williams, 34, was found attacking the 22-year-old in the Sirhowy Arms Hotel in Argoed, Blackwood - a bed and breakfast for the homeless. | |
He was shot and arrested at the scene during the early hours of Thursday but later died. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is probing his death. | |
Gwent Police said Williams was local to the area and the woman was from Blackwood. | Gwent Police said Williams was local to the area and the woman was from Blackwood. |
The pair are believed to have been in a relationship and the force said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. | The pair are believed to have been in a relationship and the force said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. |
'Grotesque' | |
The property where the murder took place is used as temporary accommodation for homeless people. | The property where the murder took place is used as temporary accommodation for homeless people. |
IPCC Commissioner for Wales, Jan Williams, said: "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased at this sad and difficult time. | IPCC Commissioner for Wales, Jan Williams, said: "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased at this sad and difficult time. |
"Our investigators are gathering all relevant evidence to understand the full circumstances of what happened." | "Our investigators are gathering all relevant evidence to understand the full circumstances of what happened." |
BBC Wales reporter Stephen Fairclough in Argoed | |
People living in the small village of Argoed just north of the town of Blackwood have reacted to the disturbing events at the hotel with shock and disbelief. | |
The three-storey building where Williams is believed to have murdered the young woman sits in the middle of the village and the centre was a hive of police activity on Thursday as the investigation got under way. | |
One resident said the murder "is hard to believe in a small, quiet community village like this". | |
Another described the police scenes as "chaotic" with emergency services vehicles "everywhere". | |
One woman said: "It's all very upsetting." | |
Leon Gardiner, a councillor who has lived in the village for more than 80 years, said the killing has "hit the village for six". | |
Argoed councillor Garry Lewis described the nature of the killing as "grotesque". | |
Argoed Baptist Chapel secretary June Trace told BBC Wales that the Sirhowy Arms was converted into accommodation for vulnerable people several years ago. | Argoed Baptist Chapel secretary June Trace told BBC Wales that the Sirhowy Arms was converted into accommodation for vulnerable people several years ago. |
She said it had a "fluctuating population" of people, often aged in their 30s or 40s, who would stay there for a time before moving on. | She said it had a "fluctuating population" of people, often aged in their 30s or 40s, who would stay there for a time before moving on. |
Despite concerns of some villagers when the plans were first put forward to convert the building, she said there had never been any trouble there. | Despite concerns of some villagers when the plans were first put forward to convert the building, she said there had never been any trouble there. |
However, other people living in Argoed said there had been issues at the hostel and police had been called to resolve problems there frequently. | However, other people living in Argoed said there had been issues at the hostel and police had been called to resolve problems there frequently. |