Severed head suspect flies to US

The man wanted in connection with a severed head and dismembered body found strewn across a housing estate last week has fled to America.

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said that Richard Markham, 27, flew from Heathrow at 11.05am on Friday on BA flight 175 bound for New York's JFK Airport.

Mr Markham is wanted for questioning after the head of Tristian Lovelock, 25, was found on Friday at a recreation ground in the South Ham area of Basingstoke, Hampshire. Police have forwarded a warrant for his arrest to Interpol in Washington.

Mr Lovelock was last seen alive with Mr Markham at 8pm on Thursday. The pair had been drinking at a friend's house in Basingstoke. Police found remains at a house in St Nicholas Court, South Ham, on Friday afternoon, believed to be solely occupied by Mr Markham. All the victim's dismembered body parts were found on Saturday during a police search of the nearby area.

The victim's legs were discovered at Russell Howard park. His torso and one arm were found at a house in St Nicholas Court. His other arm was found in a nearby back garden on the same estate.

Superintendent John James, who is leading the investigation, said of Mr Markham, Mr Markham, thought to be the son of a former Royal Guard: "At this time our assessment of Richard Markham is it's reasonable for us to say and warn the public that in our view he could be considered very dangerous and the public are encouraged not to approach him under any circumstances."