A former Midhurst maths teacher charged with murdering a woman in her Petersfield home is under police guard in hospital.
Blair Graham Alexander Marrows, 45, was due to appear in court yesterday, Monday, 24 March. charged with killing mother-of-one Donna Coe, 44. But the hearing was postponed after he was taken to hospital with what police described as a hand injury.
A post-mortem examination revealed the maths teacher had died from multiple stab wounds at her home in Dickens Lane, Petersfield. Police described the attack which led to her death as 'frenzied and violent'. As well as stab wounds she suffered injuries to her head.
Ms Coe's body was found lying at the foot of the stairs in her four-bedroom home in Dickins Lane on Friday afternoon. It is not yet known exactly when she died although she was known to have spoken to friends and relatives on the phone on Thursday. Detective Chief Inspector Scott Chilton, who is leading the investigation, said the alarm had been raised by relatives who were concerned when they were unable to get Ms Coe to answer the door. Neighbours believe the police were called when the victim's 14-year-old daughter, who had been staying with her father during the holidays, was unable to get in. After a 999 call police arrived and broke down the door, to make the grisly discovery. DCI Chilton said Ms Coe was from a 'close-knit family.'
A huge police operation was sparked by the discovery of Donna Coe's body. A team of 40 officers is working on the case. Forensic teams worked through Friday night examining the large, detached house for evidence, while other officers have conducted house-to-house inquiries. Two cars, including Ms Coe's Renault Clio with a personalised number plate, were also removed from outside the house to be examined.

A former Midhurst teacher who stabbed his ex-partner to death has been jailed for life.
Blair Marrows set upon Donna Coe with a six-inch knife at a house they shared after she obtained a court order to evict him. Mrs Coe suffered 29 stab wounds during the vicious attack, a court heard.