Police hunt for murdered student's mobile phone

The body of marine biology student Rebecca Love, 26, from Rotherham, was found by staff at a Hull University dormitory in The Lawns, Harland Way, Cottingham, on Friday afternoon.

She was subject to a "fairly prolonged physical attack", police said.

Humberside Police's Detective Chief Inspector Tony Garton, leading the investigation, said: "It is important that we find Rebecca's phone as it may hold important information which could assist this investigation.

"We have searched Rebecca's room but the phone couldn't be found.

"Rebecca's friends and family tell us she had a silver-coloured Nokia phone which we urgently need to locate."

Investigations are continuing into Miss Love's movements prior to her death and police are looking into who she was associating with.

Mr Garton continued: "We have had support from staff and students at Hull's university and college who have helped by giving us information.

"I have a large team of experienced and dedicated officers and police staff who are sifting through all the information and following up several lines of inquiry."

A 20-year-old man arrested in connection with the death remains in police custody.

A police superintendent has given permission to hold the man until 3pm today.

If necessary, permission for further detention will be sought from the magistrates court, police said.

A 32-year-old man who had also been arrested was released from police custody with no further action.

A post-mortem examination revealed that the student had been assaulted and yesterday police launched a murder inquiry.

They said there were no signs of forced entry to the room, which indicated that Miss Love knew her attacker and let them in.

Fears were raised when the student's parents contacted university staff to say they could not get in touch with their daughter.

Friends had also voiced their concern after she failed to turn up to class.

Miss Love was in daily contact with her mother and last spoke to her on Wednesday evening.

She was studying a foundation year in marine biology, which was taught at Hull College, with the intention of continuing on to a three-year degree in marine biology at the University of Hull.