A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a woman was discovered in a Hampshire city, with police hunting a gold suitcase they believe may help unlock the case.
The body of Samantha Murphy, 32, was found at a house in Portsmouth on Thursday morning.
Officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary were called following a report that the body of Ms Murphy had been located.
Police have arrested two men in relation to the incident and are appealing for help to locate a gold suitcase which they said they were ‘keen to locate’ and ‘may assist with the investigation’.
The two men, both 32, one from Petersfield and one from Havant, have been been arrested on suspicion of murder.
In a statement, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘Detectives in Portsmouth have launched a murder investigation and made two arrests, after the discovery of a woman’s body in Portsmouth.
‘We were called at 7:37am on Thursday 5 June to a report that the body of 32-year-old Samantha Murphy had been located at a house on Wadham Road in Portsmouth.
‘Her family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
The body of Samantha Murphy, 32 (pictured), was found at a house in Portsmouth on Thursday morning
‘Our investigation is ongoing to establish what happened, the death is currently being treated as suspicious.
‘As part of our investigation, a 32-year-old man from Petersfield and a 32-year-old man from Havant have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
‘They remain in police custody at this time.
‘As part of our enquiries, officers have identified a gold suitcase, which they believe could be in the Portsmouth area.
‘They are keen to locate this suitcase, as it may assist with the investigation, and ask that anyone with any information please call 101 quoting reference number 44250245282.’
District Commander, Chief Inspector Fifi Gulam-Husen said, ‘We understand that this is a concerning incident for the local community and specialist officers are working as a priority to establish the full circumstances.
‘The Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out regular patrols in the area and anyone with questions or concerns can speak to these uniformed officers’.
