Eastbourne murder: Man held after Jackie Hoadley found dead

Police were called to Broad Oak Close in Eastbourne on Sunday afternoon.

A visitor to the house raised the alarm, and it is understood that disability campaigner Jackie Hoadley was found with fatal injuries.

National media have reported on the death of the 57-year-old mum of two disabled children.

It has been rumoured that armed police swooped in to arrest a 62-year-old suspect on suspicion of her murder at the Chailey Heritage Foundation, which looks after seriously disabled children.

The foundation has confirmed there was an "incident" in the grounds of the site in Sussex but said procedures were in place to keep everyone safe.

Forensics officers at the scene

Shocked neighbours in Broad Oak Close, Eastbourne said the Hoadley family were well known.

Former Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd has led tributes to her. He said: "It’s absolutely tragic news to hear of Jackie’s death.

“I did some work with her last year on various constituency issues so to hear this awful news out of the blue is just appalling. I believe the police are now treating it as a murder enquiry which makes the whole thing even more bleak.”

Jackie Hoadley with husband Ray were disability rights campaigners

Neighbour Vicki Tester said she had seen police cars and ambulance at the house on Sunday afternoon.

She said: “They are a lovely family, I don’t really know what’s gone on.

“They both look after their disabled children and obviously it’s a full time job.

“We haven’t seen much of them lately because of lockdown.

“Everybody knows them and we all have barbecues in the summer and there’s never been any trouble.”

Campaigner Mrs Hoadley, 57, last year reported how her children were denied basic human rights by government cuts.

Matthew, aged 15, and Ellie, aged eight, both suffer from brain damage, epilepsy and double incontinence and require round the clock care.

Ellie is also registered blind.

An online petition set up by Jackie and her husband Ray called for free incontinence pads for disabled children has so far been signed more than 88,500 times.

The scene in Broad Oak Close

Mrs Hoadley visited Parliament with Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd in October last year to lobby then social care minister Caroline Dinenage.

The family live in a £150,000 semi-detached house in the Stone Cross area of Eastbourne.

A modified family car with disabled stickers was still parked in the driveway on Sunday as police forensic teams assessed the scene.

Crime scene officers wearing protective suits were seen entering a property in the street, while uniformed officers stood guard.

The home was cordoned off while police launched their investigation.

Neighbours reported seeing several police patrol cars parked in the road, and detectives have launched an inquiry.

Later in the afternoon, a 62-year-old man from Eastbourne was arrested in Chailey on suspicion of murder. He remained in custody last night.

It was reported that armed officers were called in to the Chailey Heritage Foundation site in the village.

The foundation said: "We can confirm there was an incident in the grounds of Chailey Heritage.

“Sussex Police arrived on site and apprehended the individual.

“We take the safety of all of those at Chailey Heritage as paramount and we had procedures in place should an incident like this occur.

Police guarding the scene

“These procedures were activated immediately and the young people and their support workers were kept safe.

“No-one was harmed and all the young people who reside on site and the staff remained safe in their bungalows.

“Sussex Police secured the site and we are assisting them with their investigations.

“We are also liaising with and notifying all other necessary statutory bodies.”

The foundation provides education, care, and support to children and young adults with complex disabilities and health needs.

It is understood that the woman was known to the man and police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with her death. Nobody else was injured.