DETECTIVES investigating the murder of prostitute Gemma Adams last night described the response to appeals for information from the public as “very promising”.

By Danielle Nuttall

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of prostitute Gemma Adams last night described the response to appeals for information from the public as “very promising”.

A number of people have come forward since the 25-year-old's naked body was discovered in a brook at Hintlesham on Saturday - but police are urging anyone else with significant information to contact them.

A second vice girl, 19-year-old Tania Nicol, from Ipswich, is still missing and police say they have “grave concerns” for her safety.

Specialist divers from Norfolk spent much of yesterday carrying out underwater searches in the area of Thorpe's Hill, where Miss Adams' body was found, while other officers conducted a painstaking examination of land below Burstall Bridge on the A1071.

Police have said it is possible Miss Adams' body had been dumped from the bridge and taken 150 yards downstream to the place she was eventually found by fish warden Trevor Saunders.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out but the force admitted yesterday it could be “several weeks” until they knew the exact cause of death. They said further tests needed to be carried out to ascertain how she had died.

Police also admitted further enquiries needed to be carried out to find out exactly how long Gemma's body had been in the water.

Detective Chief Inspector David Skevington, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: “The response so far from the extensive media coverage has been very promising.

“I would urge people to continue calling us if they feel they have information that could be related to Gemma's disappearance and murder.

“Gemma's clothing remains missing and we still need to locate these items which may provide vital evidence in relation to what happened to her the night she went missing.

“We are not only appealing to people who live in the area but people who have driven through the area or been there to fish at the lakes and brooks or walk in the surrounding fields.”

Miss Adams, from Ipswich, was reported missing at 2.55am on Wednesday, November 15 by her partner, Jon Simpson, after she did not return home to Blenheim Road.

She had gone into the town that night with the intention of working as a prostitute. Her body was found at around 11.50am on Saturday.

She was last seen wearing a black waterproof waist-length jacket with a hood and a zip up the front, light blue jeans with studs on the pockets, a red top and white and chrome Nike trainers. She was also carrying a black handbag that police have also not yet found.

The discovery of Miss Adams' body has heightened fears for 19-year-old Tania Nicol, another prostitute from Ipswich who vanished from the same area more than a month ago.

Detective Chief Inspector John Quinton, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Miss Nicol, made a brief visit to the area in Hintlesham being searched by officers yesterday.

But the two enquiries are not being linked at this stage.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 01473 613538 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.