POLICE in Ipswich are working on the second murder inquiry in just one week following the discovery of a body in a flat in the town.

Tom Potter

POLICE in Ipswich are working on the second murder inquiry in just one week following the discovery of a body in a flat in the town.

Stunned neighbours near to the flat in Chantry told how they were alerted to the grisly find at around 3.20pm yesterday after hearing the screams of a woman at the victim's door, shortly before the emergency services descended on the area.

It comes just a week after the body of Malgorzata Lapinksa was found in a flat in Duke Street, Ipswich last Friday afternoon. Her estranged husband Mariusz Lipinksi was arrested on suspicion of her murder and died after it is thought he took his own life in Norwich Prison on Wednesday.

In the latest incident, neighbours told how a woman was heard banging on the victim's door shouting “Simon, Simon” before making a frantic phone call and crying “I can't, I can't.”

A 46-year-old man is today in custody after being arrested in Hawthorn Drive on suspicion of murder at around 4.45pm yesterday.

Paramedics responding to a 999 call, made by a man to the Norfolk control room, were the first to arrive at the property in Widgeon Close.

An officer in a rapid response vehicle arrived at the flat followed by an ambulance crew.

Police officers were alerted at 3.28pm to reports that a man had been found with injuries at the property.

The alleged victim, who is believed to be in his early 30s, was then pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbours said he had been living on his own in the flat for the last few months.

The death is being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the coroner. It has not been revealed what injuries the man sustained.

The property was one of four self contained flats cordoned off by police in the Widgeon Close cul-de-sac.

People living nearby who had been at home while the drama unfolded reported seeing a distressed woman outside the flat as paramedics arrived.

One neighbour, who was cutting his front lawn at the time, said: “I saw a girl go to his door and then she started getting upset and screaming.

“She phoned for help but I think it must have already been on its way because an ambulance turned up straight afterwards.”

A forensic team began examining the scene yesterday evening and an investigation is under way to establish what has happened.

Police would like to hear from any witnesses. Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

- Did you know the victim and want to pay tribute? Contact us on 01473 324788 or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk or news@eadt.co.uk.

STUNNED neighbours living in an Ipswich cul-de-sac have spoken of their shock as a murder investigation began on their doorsteps.

Forensic detectives descended on Widgeon Close yesterday afternoon following the discovery of a man's body in a flat.

The man was named locally as Simon and is believed to have been in his early 30s.

Two hours after the paramedics were first called a woman who identified herself as the victim's aunt arrived at the flat.

She said: “I've got nothing to say right now. I've just found out and I've got nothing to say.”

Neighbour Stan Skinner was cutting his front lawn when he was first alerted to the drama when he heard a woman screaming.

He said: “I had no clue what had happened at the time. I saw a woman outside my neighbour's flat.

“She got on the phone and I could see she was upset.”

Another distressed neighbour recalled hearing the constant barking of a dog believed to belong to the victim.

As police and scenes of crimes officers surrounded the area, she said: “It's all I could hear from around eight-o-clock last night.

“I didn't think anything of it at the time but today I heard this young lady outside screaming and shouting.

“She was calling his name and then she was on her mobile phone screaming “I can't, I can't.”

Several neighbours remembered the alleged victim moving into the flat in Widgeon Close a few months ago.

One believed the woman was one of few regular visitors to the man's flat.

He said: “She seemed to be a friend of his.

“He introduced himself as Simon to me once but I only knew him in passing.”

A couple living two doors down from the scene of the incident reported seeing the victim coming home from a night out in Ipswich on Tuesday night but none of the man's immediate neighbours could recall seeing him since then.