Becky Watts: Stepbrother charged with teen murder

Becky Watts' stepbrother Nathan Matthews has been charged with her murder. Picture: SWNS

Nathan Matthews, 28, and Shauna Hoare, 21, both of Bristol, remain in police custody and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

Four men and one woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender were in custody last night, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said.

Matthews and Hoare, who uses the surname Phillips on social media accounts, were arrested on suspicion of Becky’s kidnap on Saturday, and were later rearrested on suspicion of her murder.

Floral tributes to Becky Watts left at Barton Court, in Barton Hill, Bristol. Picture: PA

A force spokesman said: “Nathan Matthews, 28, of Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, has been charged with the murder of Rebecca Watts. He remains in custody and is due before Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

“Shauna Hoare, 21, of Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, has been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice. She remains in custody and is due before Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

“The four men and one woman who were arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender remain in police custody at this time.

“A warrant of further detention was granted for these suspects at a hearing earlier.”

Hoare was rushed to hospital by officers after “feeling unwell” in custody but returned after being seen by a doctor, police previously said.

Becky, described as “wonderful” by her family, vanished from her home in Crown Hill, Bristol, on 19 February.

Avon and Somerset Police launched a huge search operation – involving six police teams each day – after she was reported missing the following afternoon.

On Monday night, detectives received information that Becky’s body had been “cut up” and they attended a house in Barton Hill, Bristol.

Body parts were discovered at the address, which continued to be combed by forensics teams yesterday. A private ambulance was seen leaving the property on Tuesday afternoon. Bouquets, teddies and cards have been left at the family home and the site where body parts were found.

The five people arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender following the grim discovery are four men, aged 29, 29, 23 and 23, and one woman, also aged 23.

Matthews was identified as the teenager’s stepbrother – the son of her father Darren’s wife Anjie – by family members.

Formal identification procedures of the body parts has not yet been completed.

Churches, including St Ambrose near Becky’s home, have opened for mourners to pay their respects.

Rachael Scott, of the Crown Prosecution Service’s south-west complex casework unit, said she had been offering “advice and guidance” to police since the arrest of Matthews and Hoare.

On Facebook, Becky’s brother Dan Galsworthy wrote: “To everyone messaging and supporting me, I haven’t replied to any messages because I simply have no words, I thank you all and deeply appreciate everyone’s support. Love to you all.”