Body found of man hunted over killing

Detectives launched a manhunt for 35-year-old Martin Collett after the body of Angela Hoyt, 34, was discovered at her home in Glebeland in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, at around 5.20pm on Tuesday.

Mr Collett worked as a briefing manager for Labour home secretaries David Blunkett, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, and Charles Clarke at around the same time that Ms Hoyt was employed as a junior member of the Home Office media team.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “The body of a man was found just north of Hatfield train station at about 11.30pm on Friday.

“Hertfordshire officers were informed by the British Transport Police (BTP) later that night and have been working with the BTP to identify the man.

“We can now confirm that it is that of Martin Collett, who was wanted for the murder of Angela Hoyt.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Ross from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Now we have found Martin, this brings our search to a conclusion and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Angela’s death.”

He expressed condolences to Ms Hoyt’s family and close friends before adding: “This is an extremely tragic case involving two people who were known to each other. Both families are being supported by specialist family liaison officers at this difficult time.”

Police had previously been focusing the search for Mr Collett on the grounds of a stately home in Hatfield after detectives received a number of reports from members of the public that he had been seen in the area.

Earlier a Home Office spokesman confirmed that the former couple did both did work in the Home Office.

Days before her death, Canadian-born Ms Hoyt made a report of harassment to police. She had recently returned from a three-month role in Pakistan as part of her work with the Red Cross.