0

Brit murder suspect ‘drove overnight to UK after stabbing wife to death in Italy’ as he’s arrested at daughter’s home

A BRIT wanted in connection with the murder of gran Michele Faiers reportedly drove overnight from Italy to the UK.

Michael Whitbread, 74, was arrested at his daughter’s home on Thursday after allegedly driving 1,259 miles through Switzerland and France.

British gran Michele Faiers, 66, was found stabbed to death at her home in Italy

6

British gran Michele Faiers, 66, was found stabbed to death at her home in ItalyCredit: Facebook
Michael Whitbread, 74, allegedly reportedly drove overnight to the UK where he was arrested on Thursday

6

Michael Whitbread, 74, allegedly reportedly drove overnight to the UK where he was arrested on Thursday
He was arrested at his daughter's home in Shepshed in Leicestershire

6

He was arrested at his daughter’s home in Shepshed in LeicestershireCredit: Ashley Kirk
The couple had moved to Italy after retiring in 2015

6

The couple had moved to Italy after retiring in 2015Credit: Facebook

His partner Michele Faiers, 66, was found stabbed to death at the couple’s home in Chieti, Italy, on Wednesday.

She had been missing for days before her blood-soaked body was found by her friend who alerted Italian authorities.

Whitbread was named as a the prime suspect by Italian prosecutors, who said he left the scene in a white Jeep.

And an arrest warrant seen by the MailOnline claims he drove all night crossing the border with Switzerland and passing through France before arriving in the UK.

He was arrested at a home owned by his daughter in Shepshed, Leicestershire, and remained in custody on Friday.

He is expected to appear before magistrates on Saturday for an extradition hearing.

Michele had been stabbed seven times in the back, according to a local coroner quoted in the warrant.

Her body was discovered by her friend who had grown concerned after not hearing from her for several days.

After hearing her friend’s screams, neighbours alerted the police who then rushed to the property.

Italian cops found her in a pool of blood apparently dressed only in her underwear and covered by a white sheet.

The British expat was living at the property in the Verratti district with her partner Michael Whitbread after moving to Italy in 2015.

The couple – who ran a scuba diving school in Torquay, Devon – sold up and retired to Italy.

Police launched a manhunt for Whitbread after he was suspected of having fled the scene in the family car.

Former neighbours revealed in a heartbreaking statement that just weeks before her death, Michele had visited the UK for her daughter’s wedding.

One neighbour said: “She was here for her daughter’s wedding in September.

“She was obviously so happy at the wedding, this has just come as a complete shock.

“It must be awful for the daughter, she’s only just got married and is having to deal with something like this.

“She was just a lovely person, they moved out to Italy to retire.”

Neighbours at the woman’s old home in Torquay told The Sun they remembered her as a “lovely person”.

Michele made her last post on Instagram on October 25, just days before she died.

She shared three pictures of a sunset taken from the terrace of her house in Italy.

Other photos she shared online over the years showed the pair smiling and apparently having fun on trips, with friends and with family.

The pair were described as private by locals who said they would often see them taking walks with their three dogs.

Police officers at the property in Shepshed, Leics

6

Police officers at the property in Shepshed, LeicsCredit: Ashley Kirk
Michele's body was discovered by her friend who went to check at the couple's home in Chieti, Italy

6

Michele’s body was discovered by her friend who went to check at the couple’s home in Chieti, ItalyCredit: Google


#Brit #murder #suspect #drove #overnight #stabbing #wife #death #Italy #hes #arrested #daughters #home