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Mother of man suspected of Totton murders makes plea

The mother of a murder suspect has urged him to hand himself in after a mother and her baby daughter were found dead in Hampshire.

Detectives have not revealed how 24-year-old Stephanie Bellinger and eight-month-old Lily died but appealed to her partner Anthony Marsh to come forward.

Described as dangerous, police believe he may be in possession of a knife.

The bodies were discovered in Totton near Southampton on Saturday.

The public have been advised not to approach the 21-year-old.

Det Ch Insp Collins Matthews, who led the press conference, said: "This case is a tragedy for all concerned and my thoughts and those of the entire investigation are with the family of the deceased persons. It is paramount that we trace Mr Marsh as soon as possible. We have reason to believe he may be in possession of a knife."

Det Ch Insp Matthews also appealed directly to Mr Marsh to give himself up.

Police said in the past he was known to have visited Plymouth, Bristol, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Brighton by rail. They appealed for train passengers and taxi drivers to try to remember whether they may have seen or picked a person up matching his description over the past few days.

Mr Marsh, who has gone missing before and is known to sleep rough or in churches, is described as white, 6ft 2in (1.87m) tall, with short fair hair, brown eyes, of slim build and has a tattoo on his left forearm.

Boyfriend held over deaths of Totton mother and baby

The boyfriend of a woman found dead along with her baby daughter in Hampshire has been arrested on suspicion of their murders.
Stephanie Bellinger, 24, and her eight-month-old daughter Lili were discovered at their home in Totton, near Southampton, on Saturday.
Anthony Marsh, 21, was arrested by a police officer in Fareham earlier.

Hampshire Constabulary said the police officer who made the arrest earlier in Fareham spotted a man matching Mr Marsh's description.