Landlord bailed in Joanna probe

Chris Jefferies, the landlord arrested over the murder of Joanna Yeates, is spending his first day on bail after being released by police.

The 65-year-old was freed pending further inquiries on Saturday night after spending more than two days in custody being questioned on suspicion of killing the landscape architect, whose snow-covered body was found on Christmas Day.

His release came hours after the 25-year-old's grieving family said they were "certain" her killer would be caught.

Detectives from Avon and Somerset Police are continuing their investigation into the murder and said they were working tirelessly to bring the culprit to justice.

Det Ch Insp Phil Jones said: "The incident room has been inundated with thousands of calls from members of the public who have provided us with information. This information is being scrutinised and followed up by specially trained officers who are exhausting every lead and avenue that we are provided with.

"I would once again urge anyone who may not have called us to make contact with one of my officers and provide us with any information you may have. You may think your information is insignificant but please let us decide. This will be treated in confidence."

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have used Longwood Lane in Failand, Bristol, between December 17, when Miss Yeates went missing, and Christmas Day, when her body was discovered there.

Mr Jefferies, who lives above the Victorian flat Miss Yeates shared with her boyfriend Greg Reardon in Bristol's up-market Clifton area, was arrested on Thursday and held until Saturday night after police were granted more time to question him.

The property, on Canynge Road, lies about three miles from where the young woman's body was found. Forensic investigations continue there and a high police presence remains in the neighbourhood.

The landlord's release came after Miss Yeates's grieving parents, David, 63, Theresa, 58, and brother Chris said their lives had stopped as soon as she went missing. In an emotional statement read out by police on the picturesque Bristol riverside - one of Miss Yeates's cherished spots - they said: "From the moment that we received Greg's phone call on Sunday December 19 until now, time has had no meaning. We had a bad feeling from that moment, which deepened when we arrived in Bristol."

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