Appeal to find wanted man and arrest made after woman's death in Bournemouth
Detectives are urgently looking for Richard Sean Ball, also known as Rick and Ricky after the death of a 51-year-old woman in Paddington Grove
Police have launched an appeal to help find a man wanted in connection with the death of a woman in Bournemouth, which is being treated as suspicious.
Dorset Police received a report at 2:25am on Wednesday (1 July) that the body of a 51-year-old woman had been found at an address in Paddington Grove.
A cordon remains in place at the scene while enquiries are carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death, which police are currently treating as suspicious.
The woman's family continue to be updated and supported by specially trained officers.
Dorset Police say 56-year-old Richard Sean Ball, also known as Rick and Ricky, is wanted in connection with the investigation.
The force are urging anyone who sees him to not approach him but to dial 999 immediately.
A woman aged in her 30s, from Bournemouth, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Chief Inspector Nicola Jenkins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “We are urgently trying to locate Richard Sean Ball in connection with the death and I am now appealing to any members of the public with information regarding his whereabouts to please come forward.
“We would urge anyone who sees him to not approach and instead dial 999 immediately.
“We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries as we seek to establish the full circumstances of this death.
“As part of our investigation we have arrested a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender, with the arrest made to enable us to gather as much information as possible about circumstances surrounding this death, and in order to provide legal protection for the individual.
“I am continuing to appeal for anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in the area of Paddington Grove between Wednesday 10 June and Wednesday 1 July 2026, or anyone with further information that might assist our enquiries, to please come forward.
“A cordon remains in place at the address in Paddington Grove and there will continue to be an increased police presence in the area. Officers can be approached by anyone with information or concerns.
“Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family and loved ones of the woman who sadly died and we are continuing to keep them fully updated with any developments.
"This remains an active investigation and I would again like to urge people to respect the privacy of those involved and to not speculate online or on social media without verified facts.”