Detectives investigating the murder of Jo Yeates are ‘reviewing’ the arrested status of her landlord Chris Jefferies, officers said today.
Former Clifton College teacher Mr Jefferies, 66, was arrested on suspicion of murder on December 30 – five days after the body of 25-year-old Jo was found.
He was released on bail three days later and last week police confirmed he was still considered a suspect in the case.
But after Dutchman Vincent Tabak, 32, appeared in court charged with Jo’s murder today, police revealed they would look again at the arrest of Jefferies.
His friends say they expect him to be ”de-arrested” in the next few days.
Police Inspector David Horwood, from Avon and Somerset police, confirmed: ”We are now considering the impact of the charge on other aspects of the investigation.”
Mr Jefferies, who appeared to give conflicting eye-witness accounts on the night Jo went missing, has kept a low profile since his release on bail.
He has not been spotted by neighbours back at his 44 Canynge Road flat in Bristol.
His legal representatives are believed to be preparing a case against Avon and Somerset Police for wrongful arrest.
Friend Irving Steggles, speaking from South Africa, said today: ”I think it would be unhelpful for me to offer further comment after Christopher’s expected de-arrest.”