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Wife found in wheelie bin could have been killed three years ago
Justin Davenport, Crime Editor11 Jun 2009
The woman whose body was found in a wheelie bin was identified today as police revealed she could have been killed three years ago.
The victim, whose foot was seen sticking from the bin in Cobham, Surrey, was named as Melanie Wallner - the wife of Peter Wallner who was arrested by police last night on suspicion of her murder.
Wallner, 33, an unemployed chef, was held at Gatwick airport after police issued an appeal to trace him earlier this week.
He is being interviewed today at a police station in Surrey.
Dental records confirmed Mrs Wallner's identity yesterday and her next of kin were informed.
However, in a bizarre twist police revealed a pathologist could not determine the exact date of death.
One possibility was that Mrs Wallner, 35, was killed in August 2006 and her body was stored before being dumped in the bin.
Police are seeking anyone who had seen Mrs Wallner in the past three years.
Detective Chief Inspector Maria Woodall, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We have received varying accounts from Melanie's family, friends and neighbours about her recent history.
"Some had thought she moved away from Surrey in the last few years and others believed she may have died in 2006.
"I am now asking for people's help in building a picture of the last years of her life. Specifically, I would like to hear from anyone who has seen Melanie since August 2006 or people who knew her well shortly before this date."
Mrs Wallner was found hidden among rubbish outside Wallner's home in Hamilton Avenue last Saturday.
Forensic science experts are continuing a search of his address and officers have extended house-to-house inquiries.
Wallner, from Germany, who had not been seen since the find, made contact with police yesterday from Malta, where he was staying with his partner Lilia Fenech, 23, and her family.
He rented the Hamilton Avenue property until about three weeks ago. Sources said he told friends three years ago that his wife had either died or had gone away.
On Monday, police said Wallner hired a white VW Crafter van on 15 May. The vehicle, carrying two people, was spotted by cameras on the M25 in Kent and close to the docks at Dover two days later.
Officers were called to the Cobham house by a woman at about 3.20pm on Saturday.
A spokesman said: "Scene of crime officers carefully emptied the bin to preserve forensic opportunities, recovering the full intact body of a white woman, believed to be in her thirties, which had been surrounded by rubbish."
A post-mortem conducted at the weekend proved inconclusive.
It revealed signs of a serious head injury, but could not confirm this had caused her death.
Ms Woodall said: "Melanie's family are obviously very shocked at this time and we are determined, with the public's help, to find them the truth about her death."
