Prestatyn van fire victim Samantha Phythian was pregnant
A Rhyl man is remanded in custody charged with murder, and a second man has been arrested, as police appeal for information about the Gas Works Lane fire.
By
Lowri Evans
The woman whose body was discovered in a burning van in Prestatyn was pregnant when she died, North Wales Police have confirmed after a postmortem examination.
In brief
- She has been named as Samantha Natalie Phythian, a 35-year-old from Rhyl whom her family called Sammi.
- The full name and address of the man charged were given by WalesOnline, which also reported that police announced the second arrest on Friday evening.
- DCI Dunkerley has thanked members of the community who have already been in touch with officers.
She has been named as Samantha Natalie Phythian, a 35-year-old from Rhyl whom her family called Sammi. Her death has led to a murder charge, a second arrest and a renewed appeal from detectives for anyone who knows something to come forward.
A late-night call to Gas Works Lane
Emergency services were sent to Gas Works Lane, a road in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, shortly before midnight on Sunday 4 October, after a van was reported to be on fire. The call came in at around 11.30pm. Once the blaze had been dealt with, a body was found inside the vehicle.
The force later released Ms Phythian’s identity together with a photograph of her. In its statement, reported by The Independent, North Wales Police said the postmortem had established that she was expecting a baby at the time of her death. Police have not made public how she died.
For communities along the North Wales coast, the case links two neighbouring towns: Ms Phythian lived in Rhyl, and the fire happened a few miles along the coast in Prestatyn.
Where the investigation stands
Detectives have so far charged one man and arrested another. The two strands are set out below as police and court reporting have described them.
| Person | Age | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Matthew Hammond Bell, of Wellington Road, Rhyl | 38 | Charged with murder | Appeared at Mold Crown Court and was remanded into custody |
| Unnamed man | 47 | Arrested | Detained over suspected conspiracy to commit arson, and over possessing drugs with intent to supply them |
The full name and address of the man charged were given by WalesOnline, which also reported that police announced the second arrest on Friday evening. Police have not said whether the 47-year-old will face charges, and no connection between his arrest and the murder charge has been set out publicly.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Zoie Dunkerley, described the inquiry’s progress: “Our investigations into this incident are moving at pace, and we are currently exploring every avenue of information open to us.” According to the force, Ms Phythian’s family have been kept informed of each development.
A family’s grief and a plea over rumours
In a tribute released through police, Ms Phythian’s relatives said she would be deeply missed and remembered for the place she held in the hearts of those who knew her.
“much-loved mum, daughter, sister, auntie and friend”
Samantha Phythian’s family
The family also asked the public not to speculate about what happened, urging people to be mindful and respectful of the rumours being shared on social media. Specialist officers are supporting them, and North Wales Police has added its voice to their request.
DCI Dunkerley made the same point directly to residents. He said his thoughts were with Sammi’s family and friends, and he urged the community to take care over any comment that could deepen the family’s distress or get in the way of the active legal proceedings.
With a murder charge now before the courts, that warning carries practical weight for anyone posting online about the case in Prestatyn, Rhyl or further afield.
DCI Dunkerley has thanked members of the community who have already been in touch with officers.
Featured image. Source: Pexels. Credit: Kindel Media. License: Pexels License.
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