One of the UK’s richest men has been stabbed to death in his mansion near Wiltshire.
Detectives have launched a murder investigation after hotelier Sir Richard Lexington Sutton died and a woman was critically injured at an address in Higher Langham, near Gillingham, on Wednesday evening – just five miles from the county border.
The pair were stabbed in the attack, perpetrated by someone known to them, according to Dorset Police.
Investigating officers thanked Wiltshire Police for their assistance in locating a vehicle thought to be linked to the incident travelling eastbound on the A303. It was later stopped in London.
The businessman’s family’s wealth was valued by The Sunday Times rich list at more than £301 million last year.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Following fast-time enquiries by officers, a vehicle believed to be linked to the incident was located travelling eastbound on the A303. With support from colleagues at Wiltshire Police, Hampshire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police, the vehicle was subsequently stopped in the Hammersmith area of London.
“A 34-year-old man from the Gillingham area was arrested on suspicion of murder and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The investigation into the incident is being led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).
The injured woman, in her 60s, was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where she remains in a critical condition.
DI Simon Huxter, of MCIT, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died and the injured woman at this extremely difficult time and they are being supported by specially-trained officers.
“We will be carrying out a full investigation to establish exactly what happened at the address in Higher Langham and I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area on the evening of Wednesday 7 April 2021 to please contact us.
“A cordon remains in place at the address and there will continue to be a heavy police presence in the vicinity as we carry out enquiries. Officers can be approached by members of the public with any information or concerns.”
