Man questioned after bodies found

A forensic officer outside the home of Stephanie Bellinger in Totton, near Southampton
12 April 2012

A man arrested on suspicion of murdering a young mother and her eight-month-old daughter is being questioned by detectives.

The 21-year-old man, who is believed to be Anthony Marsh - the partner of the dead woman and the baby's father - was detained in Fareham, Hampshire.

The arrest follows the discovery of the bodies of Stephanie Bellinger, 24, and eight-month-old Lili in Totton, Hampshire, on Saturday morning.

Earlier, police named Mr Marsh as the suspect in the killings but would not confirm the identity of the arrested man.

A spokesman said: "Officers are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation."

The man was detained by a woman police officer in Fareham town centre at 11.15am on Monday morning.

The bodies of Miss Bellinger and the baby were discovered at a house in Myrtle Avenue, Totton, by a relative on Saturday morning.

A post-mortem examination found Miss Bellinger died from multiple stab wounds. A post-mortem has not yet been conducted on the body of Lili.

The family of Miss Bellinger today released a statement through police, which read: "Stephanie was a fun-loving free spirit who was always happy and smiling. Stephanie was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt and mother."

It went on: "Lili was a bouncing, happy little baby who was a delight to be with, a little chatterbox who brought joy to our lives."

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