‘Crossbow killer’ suspect Anthony Lawrence’s body found by police

Anthony Lawrence was found dead two days after Shane Gilmer and Laura Sugden were shot in their home in east Yorkshire

Anthony Lawrence was sought by Humberside Police in connection with the murder of Shane Gilmer (Humberside Police)

A man being hunted by police after killing his neighbour with a crossbow has been found dead.

Humberside Police said Shane Gilmer and his pregnant girlfriend Laura Sugden were attacked at their home in the village of Southburn near Driffield in east Yorkshire on Friday evening.

The couple were taken to hospital but Mr Gilmer died at Hull Royal Infirmary on Saturday.

Ms Sugden's injuries are not believed to be life threatening and she and her unborn baby are both in a stable condition in hospital.

A manhunt was then launched for 55-year-old Anthony Lawrence, also known as Tony Howarth, who lived next door and was known to the couple.

​Southburn was put under lockdown and villagers were warned not to approach him as the search entered its second day.

But police said they believe they have found the body of Lawrence in a vehicle in a rural location in North Yorkshire at around 6pm on Sunday.

Police said they had recovered a crossbow from the scene of the crime and are now investigating whether it was used in the attack.

Officers say they ​are still trying to establish a motive for the attack but other neighbours have suggested the attack could have been over loud music.

Neighbours told The Sun Lawrence had threatened the couple with an axe in the weeks leading up to the murder.

One said: “They were apparently being too noisy. They were scared but things escalated.”

DCI Stewart Miller said: "We can confirm that at around 6pm this evening officers discovered the body of a man believed to be 55 year old Anthony Lawrence, in a vehicle in a rural location in North Yorkshire.

"Mr Lawrence was wanted in relation to the murder of Shane Gilmer and the attempted murder of his pregnant girlfriend Laura Sugden on Friday 12 January.

"Since Friday evening we have been carrying out extensive enquiries into Mr Lawrence's whereabouts, which led to the location in North Yorkshire, upon where officers discovered a body.

"We are being supported by North Yorkshire Police as part of our wider investigation."

Additional reporting by PA