Murder suspect arrested after long manhunt

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that John Heald, 53, was arrested in the Rotherham area yesterday afternoon.

A police operation has been under way involving more than 150 officers since the murder of Bei Carter, 49, who was found dead at Morayland Hotel, Marshall Avenue, Bridlington, late last Friday night.

Officers also wanted to talk to Heald about a serious sexual assault in Sheffield a week before but did not release details.

A force spokesman said: “South Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police would like to thank the public for their support throughout this investigation.”

Heald is originally from South Yorkshire and the search for him had been concentrated on the Rotherham and Doncaster areas. There have been a number of sightings of him in these areas in the last week.

Ms Carter’s death has shocked the Bridlington seaside community. Police said she and her family returned to the UK from China only a couple of years ago.

Earlier this week, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Baldwin, from Humberside Police, said: “They’ve become members of the community.

“This has not only had a huge effect on the family but also on the community of guest house owners in Bridlington.”