Murder suspect 'vicar' in dispute with wife over house sale

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A self-styled vicar arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife had been in dispute with her over the sale of their £600,000 country home, it emerged yesterday.

David Chenery-Wickens and his wife Diane - an award-winning TV make-up artist who has not been seen for more than a week - had been living separate lives under the same roof for five years, friends said.

But while Mr Chenery-Wickens, 51, apparently wanted to sell up and move in with his new girlfriend Kerry Lippett, a married mother of two, his 48-year-old wife was said to be reluctant to leave.

Records show they bought the three-bedroom property in East Sussex together eight years ago, but sole ownership was transferred to Mrs Chenery-Wickens in 2003.

Her husband reported her missing nine days ago, claiming she vanished during a day trip they had made to London together.

He was arrested on suspicion of her murder on Thursday morning.

Yesterday forensic teams continued to search the property in Duddleswell, near Uckfield, as police continued to question Mr Chenery-Wickens.

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Police outside the couple's home, Hazeldon Cottage, at Duddleswell, near Uckfield, East Sussex

He uses the title Reverend, calls himself Cosmic Dave and has been a medium for celebrities including model Lisa B and Noel Gallagher's ex-wife Meg Mathews. He also claims to heal the sick.

His wife has worked on Casualty and Pride And Prejudice. In 2000, she won an Emmy for her work on Arabian Nights.

Police said she has no history of mental illness. Her family described her disappearance as totally out of character.

The couple married in 1997 and do not have children.

Mr Chenery-Wickens, who has a 26-year-old son from a previous marriage, met Mrs Lippett, 39, at a spiritualist church in Crowborough, East Sussex, more than three years ago.

She is now separated from her husband. Mrs Chenery-Wickens is also said to have had a new partner.