Teenagers in murder arrest after unexplained death

Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of an 81-year-old man on Christmas Day.

Godfrey Bradford's body was found at a rural property north of Chudleigh at 10:50 GMT on 25 December 2025, where a fire was believed to have occurred.

Detectives investigating the case arrested an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman on suspicion of murder on Tuesday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A woman in her fifties was also arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of murder.

All three suspects, who are from south Devon, have since been released on police bail, the force said.

DI Chris Lithgow from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "Our officers have carried out three arrests as part of our enquiries into the death of Godfrey Bradford near Chudleigh on Christmas Day last year.

"The arrests follow months of investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Bradford's death.

"We would like to remind the public not to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation."

Police previously said officers had been called to the scene following concerns for a man.

Emergency services attended the scene and located the body, which was later identified as Bradford - a local man.

A fire was believed to have occurred at the property but had been extinguished before emergency services arrived.

Bradford's death was initially treated as unexplained, with police working with the fire service to establish the circumstances of the incident.

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