A 22-year-old man quizzed by police over the kidnap of missing teenager Georgia Williams was today arrested on suspicion of murder.
Jamie Reynolds was originally arrested on suspicion of kidnapping the 17-year-old after she disappeared on Sunday evening.
He was arrested at a hotel in Glasgow early on Wednesday morning after police revealed he had driven there from Wellington, Shrops., via Rhyl, Chester, and Kendal in Cumbria.
West Mercia Police confirmed Reynolds had been brought back to Telford from Scotland and re-arrested on suspicion of murdering the flame-haired RAF cadet.
Superintendent Nav Malik, who is leading the investigation, said their ‘primary focus’ was finding Georgia.
He said: “The arrest of the suspect for murder follows developments in the investigation since yesterday afternoon but for operational reasons and because we have someone in custody I am not able to give any further details about that at this time.
“However I would like to stress that Georgia Williams has still not been found and achieving that is still the primary focus of our investigation.
“Therefore we still urgently want people to come forward and tell us if they have seen or had any contact with her since 7.30pm on Sunday when she left the family home.
“I would remind people that Georgia, who is white, 5ft 3ins, slim and with long, dyed, red hair, was last seen wearing a waist length black leather jacket over a white T-shirt which has a London bus motif on it.
“She was also wearing black, skinny jeans and flat, black suede slip-on shoes.
“We also want to hear from anyone who may have seen a silver Toyota Hiace 300 GS panel van, registration CX06 ASV, which know took a route from Wellington to Oswestry in Shropshire before moving on to Rhyl, Chester, Kendal in Cumbria and then Glasgow.
“If you think you saw this vehicle either en route or parked somewhere between Sunday evening and when we recovered it in a car park in Glasgow city centre then please let us know.
“The vehicle had ladders on the roof and we know it was driven by the suspect prior to his arrest.
“The smallest scrap of detail could be vital to our enquiries so even if you think it may not be important please tell us so that we can check it out.”
Pretty Georgia, a former head girl, had been in a six-week relationship with fellow college student Matthew Bird, 18, from Wellington, Shrops.
On Wednesday night, Matthew, who works part-time at Next, posted a desperate appeal on Facebook for information about his girlfriend’s whereabouts.
He wrote: “I love you so much Georgia Williams you mean the world to me please just come back or get in contact with us. I need you and I miss you so much.”
Georgia’s father Stephen, 57, is a hero detective who received an award for his outstanding contribution to West Mercia Police – the force leading the investigation into his daughter’s disappearance.
DC Williams was awarded the Chief Constable Commendation – the highest accolade a force can bestow – for helping snare a rapist.
He received the special commendations at a glitzy awards bash for going “above and beyond the call of duty.”
Working alongside two other officers he helped catch former Army chef Neil Garmson, 37, who was jailed for a minimum of nine years for rape, sexual assault, robbery and abduction in 2007.
Murder suspect Jamie Reynolds branded flame-haired Georgia Williams ‘gingivitis’ in a series of jibes just a month before the pretty teen went missing.
Commenting on Georgia’s Facebook profile picture on April 4, Reynolds said: “You have a fuzzy face, and I swear the red has been turned up in the photo.”
Georgia replied: “no poop webcam quality.”
The 22-year-old then posted: “Caught a bad case of gingivitis.”
Georgia then said: “WHAT?! I’M GINGER?! omg.”
Her boyfriend Matthew Bird, 18, then stuck up for his girlfriend, posting: “Nah looks nice though x”
Georgia then replied to her boyfriend, saying: “aww thanks mate. x” but Reynolds added: “Nice smile too buddy.”
The missing teen posted: “thanks pal.” before Reynolds ended the conversation by writing: “Anytime companion.”
Murder suspect Jamie Reynolds claimed to have served late pop singer Whitney Houston and British comedian Greg Davies when he worked at a service station, it emerged today.
Reynolds also moaned on his Facebook page about how he had “f*cked” up his life.
He whined: “Anyone got a time machine I can borrow so I can go back and not fuck up my life?
“Anyways apparently I look like a bass player.
“I bum golfs, I’ve owned a 82 mk1, two mk3 GTI’s and a mk3 Cabriolet.
“There is a lot of stuff I like on here so it’s time for the hate list; Saxo’s, Climate Change Boffins, Chad Kroger, Coke, Chewing Gum, West Brommage, The Country Portugal, That Guy At The Cinema Who Always Says The Ben And Jerry’s Ice Cream Shake’s Are Unavailable Because He Can’t Be Bothered To Make One, Parking Charges, Panasonic TV’s.
“My wit is sharper than Tyson Ritter’s cheek bones and I like a good laugh. I love driving.
“I went to college and studied chemistry, biology, physics and geography and put it to good use in a career in…. um retail.
“I am the sales assistant to the stars and have served such people as Whitney Housten (sic), Greg Davis and the Lincoln City football team. ;)”
Forensic experts continued to search Reynold’s home, which is just half-a-mile away from Georgia’s, for clues.
