Ding Murders: Woman Bailed

20 April 2012, 12:50 | Updated: 20 April 2012, 12:52

A fourth person arrested over the murders of a family of four stabbed to death at their home has been released on bail.

The bodies of university lecturer Jifeng Ding, his wife Helen Chui, and their two daughters Alice, 12, and Xing, 18, (pictured right) were found at their home in Wootton, Northampton, on Sunday 1 May 2011.

A 22 year old woman from Southend, Essex, was arrested on Thursday 19 April 2012 in Plumstead, London on suspicion of conspiracy to assist an offender.

She was interviewed at a police station local to where she was arrested and later released on police bail.

Three other people who were arrested on Wednesday 18 April - also on suspicion of conspiracy to assist an offender - have also been released on police bail.

The 54-year-old woman who was arrested in the Radford area of Coventry, the 39-year-old woman who was arrested in the Gloucester town centre area of Gloucestershire and the 25-year-old man who was arrested in the Islington area of London, were each interviewed at local police stations.

Chinese businessman Anxiang Du, 52, who has not been seen since the day of the murders, is still being sought by police.

He is a former business associate of Mr and Mrs Ding but their relationship had soured and was the subject of a court case which reached a climax in the week of the family's deaths.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Davies, who is leading the inquiry, said it was known that Mr Du also had contacts in China.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Mr Du is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via the website, www.crimestoppers-uk.org.