Body of missing author Helen Bailey found in grounds of her own home

Police searching for missing children's author Helen Bailey said today they believe they have found her body, within the grounds of her own Hertfordshire home.

The 51-year-old writer, who created the Electra Brown series for teenagers, was last seen walking her dog near her home in Royston, Hertfordshire, on 11 April.

It was initially thought that she had gone away for a few days and may have been depressed.

However last week specialist police teams returned to her home and began searching its grounds.

A 55-year-old man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder and concealing a body but later released on bail.

Yesterday the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said they had found what is believed to be a body.

They also said Mr Stewart had been re-arrested and was being questioned at Stevenage police station, Herts, on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Fullwood, who leads the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: "Helen's family have been updated of this significant development and are continuing to receive support from specialist family liaison officers.

"As you can fully appreciate this will be an extremely difficult time for them and they have requested their privacy be respected at this time.

"We are also mindful that Helen's disappearance, which has attracted significant media attention, has not only had an impact on her family and friends but also the local and wider community. However, as we have a man in police custody it is not appropriate for us to make any further comment."