India Chipchase: Man arrested after body found at house a mile from where she was last seen

Police have been granted more time to question a 51-year-old man who is being held in custody

India Chipchase, 20, was last seen on Saturday night leaving a club in Nothampton with her friends (India Chipchase/ Facebook)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found in a house, following a police search for a missing woman.

India Chipchase was last seen leaving a club in the early house of Saturday morning, after a night out with friends in Northampton.

The body was discovered on Sunday night, just a mile away from where Ms Chipchase was last seen.

Police have been granted more time to question a 51-year-old man who is being held in custody, a spokesman said.

There has not been a formal identification of the body, which was found by police at a property in Stanley Road in the St James area, but Ms Chipchase’s family have been informed of the discovery.

A post-mortem was due to take place on Monday at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Police had said it was “out of character” for Ms Chipchase not to have made contact with friends and family.

Ms Chipchase's boyfriend, Evaan Reihana, a New Zealander who is said to play rugby for Bordeaux Begles in France, paid tribute to her in a post on Instagram.

Writing alongside a picture of Ms Chipchase he said: “I honestly can't believe to think even now that you have left us in that way miss India eve Chipchase !!”

He said hers would be “the name on my strap” that would bring him luck “in the game we love”.

 

I honestly can't believe to think even now that you have left us in that way miss India eve Chipchase !! :'( I honestly hope that you rest in peace Hun and that I will be playing for you for as long as I know !! You will be the name on my strap that will port me luck in the game we love !! I will miss you a lot India !! Honestly

A photo posted by Evaan Reihana (@evaanreihana) on Jan 31, 2016 at 6:11pm PST

Ms Chipchase was a student at Northampton College between September 2013 and June 2014 where she took a Diploma in Health and Social Care.

For her studies she worked with children and the elderly, winning praise from her supervisors for her teamwork, initiative and sensitivity.

Principal Pat Brennan-Barrett said: “We are devastated to hear of the death of our former student India Chipchase. India was an extremely popular, hard-working student during her time at Northampton College, where she studied Health & Social Care.

"Our thoughts go out to all her friends and family at this time.”

Her former lecturer, Jo Forester, said: “Within college she was a well-liked member of her group by both staff and students for her caring nature and sense of humour.

"She was a hardworking, intelligent young lady who possessed the maturity to complete all the targets she set herself regarding her college work and placement experiences.”