More time to quiz man over mother and daughter murders

Detectives were today granted an extra 36 hours to question a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the murder of a mother and her eight-month-old daughter.

Magistrates granted the extra time at 9.30am to Hampshire police to interview the suspect, who is believed to be Anthony Marsh, the partner of the dead woman and the baby's father.

He was detained in Fareham, Hampshire, on Monday after police named Mr Marsh as the prime suspect but would not confirm the identity of the arrested man.

The arrest followed the discovery of the bodies of Stephanie Bellinger, 24, and her daughter, Lili, in Totton, Southampton, Hampshire, on Saturday morning.

A post-mortem examination found Miss Bellinger died from multiple stab wounds.

Her family released a statement through police, which read: "Stephanie was a fun-loving free spirit who was always happy and smiling. Stephanie was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt and mother."

It went on: "Lili was a bouncing, happy little baby who was a delight to be with, a little chatterbox who brought joy to our lives.

"There are no words to describe how we, as a family, are all feeling. We now have a huge hole in our lives which we have to try and come to terms with."