Murder investigation launched and two arrested after member of the public discovers woman’s body by busy road

Police have launched a murder investigation after a member of the public discovered a woman’s body in undergrowth by a main road.

Two men are in police custody having been arrested in connection with the incident today (24 August).

At a glance: 5 key points

• Police were called to the northbound A3 slip road leading out of Guildford in Surrey, at around 3pm on Monday (23 August) after a member of the public discovered the woman’s body 
• The woman is yet to be identified and it is not clear how long she has been there, according to police. 
• She is thought to be in her 40s, and inquiries are underway to contact her next of kin 
• Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident as a murder which is “likely to have taken place elsewhere”
• The slip road will remain closed until further notice, with a cordon in place in the following days, and motorists are being asked to avoid using the route

What’s been said?

In a statement, Surrey Police said: "A murder investigation has been launched after a woman’s body was discovered in Guildford yesterday.

"Officers were called to the northbound A3 slip road out of Guildford... after a member of the public discovered a body in some undergrowth.

"An investigation, led by Surrey and Sussex’s major crime team is in the early stages."

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Emma Vickers said: “We are investigating this as a murder which we believe has been committed elsewhere with the victim’s body left in this location.

“We are still trying to determine how long the body had been there for and we are working with forensic experts as part of our inquiries. We will issue further updates as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

She added: “While our investigation is in the early stages, we would like to reassure local residents that there is a dedicated team of officers working round the clock to establish exactly what has happened and we will provide more information as and when we are able to.”