Murder probe over university death

Two men aged 32 and 20 have been arrested in connection with the death and are being questioned by police.

The body of Rebecca Love, 26, from the Rotherham area, was discovered by members of staff at Hull University student accommodation at The Lawns in Harland Way, Cottingham.

Concern was raised when the student's parents contacted staff at the Halls to say they could not get in touch with their daughter, said Humberside Police. Rebecca's mother, who lives with her father and younger brother in the Rotherham area, told police she last spoke to her daughter on Wednesday.

Humberside Police said: "She was completing the first year of a foundation course studying at Hull College with a view to continuing on to a three-year degree course in marine biology at Hull University."

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Garton, who is leading the investigation, said: "It's crucial that we establish Rebecca's movements over the past few days. We are trying to build a picture of her and her lifestyle.

"It is evident that Rebecca had been assaulted and for that reason we have launched a murder investigation. We will do everything we can to establish how Rebecca met her sudden and needless death." Anyone with information was urged to contact police on 01482 334800.

Mr Garton said Miss Love's attacker may have been someone she knew. "We appear to be dealing with a fairly prolonged physical attack. At the moment it would appear that Rebecca knew the person that she let into her room to attack her.

"There are no signs of forced entry to the room or the hall. Our indications are that she knew who her attacker was, but I'm not saying it was another student."

Mr Garton said police had spoken to everyone in the block. Nobody heard a disturbance, he said.