A woman has died in Alderney, with a 44-year-old man later arrested on suspicion of murder.
Guernsey Police launched a criminal investigation after being called to the incident late on Sunday night.
Here is what we know so far.
Timeline
What happened?
Guernsey Police were first alerted to an “incident” at 23:04 on Sunday evening.
This triggered a major overnight search with Channel Islands Air Search spotting a person in the water at the foot of the cliffs at about 04:28, near The Guns area of the island.
Residents reported hearing noise from the search and rescue plane during the early hours, as well as seeing blue lights, as the emergency response was getting under way.
A joint rescue operation involving Bailiwick emergency services, the RNLI and the French Coast Guard followed.
The body of a woman was later recovered and confirmed dead.
A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and was initially taken to Alderney Hospital.
Several police officers were at the hospital with him, before he was understood to have left around lunchtime and was transferred into police custody.
Police have not said what led to the man’s arrest or confirmed any other details.
Detective Superintendent Jonathan Bancroft said the investigation was still in its early stages and urged people not to draw conclusions from the arrest.
“We are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances, and our inquiries will be guided by the evidence,” he said.
Police are not looking for anyone else and said there is no ongoing risk to the wider community.
A significant emergency services presence is expected to remain in Alderney while the investigation continues.
Anyone with information that could help Police is asked to call 01481 222222, quoting reference OC26*7304.
