A father accused of killing a teenager girl after she was hit with a car on quiet residential estates has been arrested.
After the accident near Leete Way in West Winch near Kings Lynn, Norfolk, Nigel Malt (44), is believed to have taken Lauren Malt (19) to hospital.
Norfolk Police reported that they were called by reports about a disturbance along the road, and a teenager being hit with a car on Sunday just before 7.30pm.
Lauren was identified provisionally by the police and she died shortly after arriving at the 515 bed hospital.
King’s Lynn Road resident Mr Malt was first arrested by the hospital under suspicion of murder and drink driving.
Tonight, the Police Investigation Centre in King’s Lynn questioned him. On Wednesday, he will face Norwich magistrates.
Leete Way residents claimed that they heard an argument just before Lauren was allegedly hit by a car.
According to Norfolk Police, a Home Office post mortem examination performed today revealed that her initial cause of death was chest and abdominal injuries.
Police were dispatched to investigate reports that Lauren Malt, a local 19-year old girl was hit and killed in a car accident.
It happened just before 7.30pm, close to a playground in Leete Way West Winch near Kings Lynn, Norfolk. (pictured on Sunday).
Lauren is said to have been driven by the car’s driver, Lauren being ‘well-known’, five miles to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn. Pictured: Leete Way, Norfolk
Leete Way resident, who did not want to be identified, stated that they heard “a loud bang” and “a lot of screaming and shouting, then the car speeding away.”
“I went to my neighbor and inquired about what happened. A car had struck a young girl, I learned. The road was clearly in danger, but there was no sign of the girl.
“We’d seen it before, and heard shouts when it was nearby.”
One neighbor said, “It is horrendous.” Late in the evening, I noticed the police cars flashing their lights.
“I looked out the window, and wondered what was going on.” They then started to scrub the streets around the corner.
It is terrible to imagine what happened to that girl. This usually happens in a quiet environment. This is not what you would expect.
One resident added that she found the area had been taped off by police when she returned from work. I was informed this morning by a friend that there had been an argument.
Houses on Leete Way, Norfolk are worth around £180,000 and detached properties can sell for an average of £250,000.
Lauren’s friend wrote a tribute on Facebook, saying that she was a dear angel who meant the whole world to Lauren and that it’s a great loss.
“I cannot get my head around this.” My rock. My little bean. My best friend. Our plans were so big, and now it’s over. You will be missed, my beloved.
A friend added: “She was charming, funny, and lovely.” She will be missed so very much.
One person described her as a ‘lovely polite girl’ while another said that she had a “heart of gold”. Fly high my angel.
One person said that she was truly a one-of-a-kind and would be greatly missed. She was a caring, loving young woman who died too soon. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Leete Way resident who did not want to be identified said that they heard “a loud bang, a lot of screaming and shouting followed by the sound a car driving off.”
Norfolk Police officers are conducting house-to-house investigations, asking residents whether they have any pertinent CCTV images or videos from their doorbell cameras.
The incident at West Winch, according to police, was not related to the second murder investigation that began eight miles away when a man, in his late 30s, died after suffering severe head injuries in a Bulrush Avenue home in Downham Market.
According to a statement from the Norfolk Police, “Police launched an investigation into a murder following an incident that occurred near King’s Lynn Sunday night.”
Following reports that someone had hit a woman and there was a disturbance, officers were dispatched to Leete Way West Winch at 7.30 p.m.
Following further information, officers were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital to assist the victim, who was in her late teens. Shortly after, the woman was declared dead.
“An elderly man in his 40s was detained at the hospital for murder and dangerous driving. He was transported to King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre and will be interviewed.
Norfolk Police officers were making house to house inquiries today, asking residents if any CCTV photos or videos from their doorbell cameras are available.
Leete Road was first closed off for ‘collision-scene investigations. Later the road was opened again.
Superintendent Wes Hornigold is the local commander of police in Norfolk. He said, “We have an experienced team of detectives working on this case and are trying to find the entire incident’s circumstances.”
“Officers work to reconstruct the events, while our liaison officers support victims and their families.
“I am able to confirm that all the involved parties are well-informed and confident that there was no risk for the general public.
She was described as “such a beautiful polite girl” by one person. Another added, “She had a heart full of gold.” Fly high my angel.
“This was one of two murder investigations that were launched last night in the West of the County. An additional team of detectives continues to investigate Downham Market’s murder victim, a 39 year-old male. We are deeply sorry for the victims and offer our condolences to them.
“We are aware that both the incident’s timing and close proximity could raise concerns in our community. They are independent investigations, and they do not have to be connected.
“Such situations are uncommon for Norfolk. We will also have high-visibility patrols on both these areas in the next days.”
The officers have already spoken with a few witnesses. However, anyone who thinks they might have CCTV or information relevant to this inquiry should call the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team at 101, quoting Operation Redmere.