Linzi Ashton Murder: Armed Police Arrest Suspect Michael Cope at House in Leigh
Manchester Evening News
Armed police have arrested Michael Cope after swooping on a house last night. Officers were called to a house on Larch Road in Leigh just before midnight. Mr Cope, 28, who has been wanted in connection with the murder of Salford barmaid Linzi Ashton since her death last month, came out of the house and handed himself over to the armed officers. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being quizzed by detectives. It is understood he had not been at the house for the entire four weeks. Neighbours said there had been a heavy police presence in the area all week, as well as 'wanted' posters appealing for information about Cope's whereabouts. One woman said she woke at midnight to see up to 10 police vans near a pierce of wasteland at the end of Larch Road. Officers had surrounded a house and were shining torches at someone lying on the street, she said, adding: “The helicopter has been round all week – we've had no sleep.” A second woman said: “It's scary when you think about it being on your doorstep. “I'd have thought he would have been around Salford somewhere because that's where it happened.” Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: "The people of Greater Manchester will be relieved that this major manhunt is over. This development obviously means the investigation into Linzi's tragic death can now move forward." Mum-of-two Linzi was found battered to death at her home in Westbourne Road, Winton, on June 29. A Home Office post mortem concluded Linzi died as a result of pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.
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