Murder investigation - Spalding

Update 12.30 pm, 24 July 

We are refreshing our appeal as part our investigation into the death of 26-year-old Colette Law. We are asking that anyone who was in Spalding town centre throughout the day and into the evening on 10 July, who may have witnessed an altercation between a man and a woman, to come forward.

Detective Inspector Adrian Czajkowski, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We believe there may be people who were in the town who have witnessed something which might help our ongoing investigation, who we have not yet spoken with.

“It might be that you don’t realise that what you saw or heard is important; we’d ask that you think back, or view mobile phone or dashcam footage, and get in touch with anything that might be relevant and allow us to decide.

"Any piece of information can prove crucial in an investigation, and we’d rather have as much information as possible.”

If you can help, you can submit information and footage through a dedicated Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM23C97-PO1 Alternatively contact Crimestoppers-uk.org online or call 0800 555 111 anonymously.

Update 10.10pm, 23 July

We have charged Paul Neilson, 30, of no fixed address, with the murder of 26-year-old Colette Law.

Her body was found in a tent on Monday 17 July in the grounds of St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Spalding.

Neilson has been in police custody since his arrest, and was charged tonight (23 July). He remains in custody and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court in the morning.

Update at 8.30am, Friday, 21 July 23

We can now confirm the identity of the 26-year-old woman whose body was found in the grounds of St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Spalding, as Colette Law, from Greenock. We are working with Police Scotland to support her family.

 

We have arrested a 30-year-old man, from Spalding, on suspicion of murder; he remains in custody.

Detective Inspector Richard Nethercott, who is leading the investigation, said: “We send our condolences to the family and friends of Colette, they are very much in our thoughts as we carry out our investigation. 

“I know this tragic death will be unsettling.  We are working hard to investigate the full circumstances to understand how Colette has died.”

“I would like to thank the local community for their help so far, and appeal for anyone who has any information that will assist our investigation to get in touch.

“I would also like anyone who has seen Colette Law between 12 July and 17 July to contact us so we can build a picture of her movements the days before she sadly died.

“Our investigation is on-going, and we await the result of a post mortem”

There are a number of ways to contact the investigation team.  Please call 101 or email [email protected].  Alternatively contact Crimestoppers-uk.org online or call 0800 555 111 anonymously.

 

Update at 3 pm

We are continuing to appeal for information that will help with our investigation into the death of a 26-year-old woman who was found in a tent on Monday 17 July, in the grounds of St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Spalding. 

The women's family are aware.  We’re not able to share the name of the woman today but we will as soon as we're able as we appreciate this may help with our appeal.

We were first called to the area around 9 pm on Monday 17 July, as a result of our inquires we are currently treating the death as unexplained, and are appealing for the public's help.

We are working hard to understand what has happened and the circumstances around this tragic death.  No arrests have been made. 

If you can help with any information, please call 101 quoting incident number 487 of 17 July. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111.  

 

Previous release at 8.09am 

At 9pm on Monday 17 July, we were called to St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Church Street, Spalding, following a report that a body had been discovered in a tent in the grounds of the church.  We are at an early stage in our inquiries and as such we are treating this death as unexplained. 

Officers and staff will be at the scene for some time.  We will update when we are able to.

We are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 12 July 2023 and 17 July 23, and may have any information about the person who was staying in the tent, when they last saw those living in the tent or anyone who may have information they believe will assist our investigation.  

If you can help please call 101 quoting incident number 487 of 17 July. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111.