Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after disappearance of Barnstaple teenager
A body believed to be that of 15-year-old Taylor Charlton was found in the River Taw in June
Last updated 2nd Jul 2026
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of a teenager in North Devon.
Taylor Charlton was last seen on the 8th of May in Barnstaple.
Devon and Cornwall Police said following new information a woman in her 40s was arrested by police in the North Devon area today (2 July).
The force added that the woman will be interviewed as part of their enquiries.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said today (2 July): "While the suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder, we would like to stress that this is a new line of enquiry and it is at an extremely early stage.
"We will provide further updates when we are able to."
Police say Taylor's family have been informed of the development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
In June "suspected human remains" believed to be those of Taylor were found in the River Taw near Sticklepath.
A 20-year-old man was previously arrested on suspicion of murder after Taylor's disappearance and was released on police bail in June.
The force added: "The arrest made today remains one line of enquiry among many and officers are working tirelessly to ensure this, and all, avenues are fully investigated.
"We appreciate how upsetting this news will be for Taylor’s family, friends, and the wider community.
"We are asking members of the public to help our investigation by avoiding speculation and by not sharing any unconfirmed information online."