Ex-detective charged with murder of policewoman Heather Cooper

The body of Detective Constable Heather Cooper, 33, was found by police in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall, West Sussex, on Sunday evening.

Surrey Police said Peter Foster, 35, has been charged with the murder of the mother-of-two, who was on maternity leave from the force at the time of her death.

A post-mortem examination found she died from a blow to the head and a stab wound to the throat.

Miss Cooper, who lived with Foster in West Street, Haslemere, Surrey, joined Surrey Police in 2003 and worked in the Public Protection Investigation Unit based at Guildford police station.

Surrey and Sussex Assistant Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney described her as an "exceptional officer" who was "much loved" among her police colleagues.

Foster will appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning.