Catherine Wells-Burr death: New lead for police

Detectives investigating the death of a university graduate in Somerset are appealing for information about a person seen near to where her body was found in her burning car.

Catherine Wells-Burr was discovered by firefighters in her red Ford Focus near Ilminster on the morning of September 12.

Police believe the 23-year-old was likely to have been killed earlier and placed in the vehicle before it was set on fire.

Now they want to hear from anyone who saw a person at the site of the car fire in a lane off the A358 near Ashill.

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Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp, who is leading the investigation, said: “This person was in the area before the fire was lit, and was seen to then walk along the left-hand verge towards Taunton immediately after.

“It is imperative that we speak to anyone who saw this person, before or after the fire, or if you are that person, please come forward and speak to us.”

Miss Wells-Burr’s boyfriend Rafal Piotr Nowak and his former partner Anna Julia Lagwinowicz have been charged with conspiracy to murder Miss Wells-Burr.

Polish nationals Nowak, 31, and Lagwinowicz, 32, have been remanded into custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court on October 9. They are accused, between May 1 and September 13, of conspiring with others to murder Miss Wells-Burr.

A 38-year-old man arrested in connection with the inquiry has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Miss Wells-Burr gained a first-class degree at Bath Spa University. She then went to work for Numatic International Ltd in Chard, where Nowak also works.