Catherine Wells-Burr death: Police renew witness plea in burning car murder inquiry

Detectives have made a further plea for witnesses to come forward after a business graduate was found murdered inside her burning car.

Firefighters found the body of Catherine Wells-Burr, 23, early on Wednesday morning inside her flaming red Ford Focus, which was abandoned in a field by the side of the A358 in Ashill, near Ilminster, Somerset.

Last night, Avon and Somerset Police were continuing to question a 32-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday.

Police also questioned two men but have since eliminated them from the inquiry.

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Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for witnesses describing the death as “tragic and brutal”.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp said: “Investigations continue into Catherine’s death and we are still working to piece together her life.

“I am particularly keen to appeal to the driver of a dark coloured people carrier that we believe was travelling from Ilminster to Taunton, past the scene, about 6.10am on Wednesday. We believe the car braked at the point of the car fire.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who saw a white transit or smaller van or was in a white transit or smaller van that was parked in the vicinity of the scene.

“My final appeal is to members of the public who saw anyone in the area wearing high visibility jackets, these people may have information that is significant to this investigation.”

A post-mortem examination was due to begin yesterday to establish the cause of death and whether she was alive or dead when the fire started.

Miss Wells-Burr lived in Chard, Somerset, with her parents and sister Leanne.

After gaining a first-class degree in business management at Bath Spa University, she went to work as a business analyst for Chard-based Numatic International Ltd, known for Henry vacuum cleaners.

Her parents have office posts at the firm, where her boyfriend Rafal Nowak, 31, also works.

Jayne and Phil Wells-Burr said their daughter was an “amazing, special person” who was excited about starting a new life with her boyfriend.

“We have lost our beautiful Catherine; she was full of character, she was caring, loving, and had a bubbly personality,” they said in a statement.