Linzi Ashton: Man held on suspicion of assisting offender

Linzi Ashton was found murdered in her home in Salford. (Greater Manchester Police/PA)

A man has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of mother-of-two Linzi Ashton. 

According to Sky News, Greater Manchester Police have detained the 25-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Murder suspect Michael Cope is still at large.  Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the "sustained and vicious" murder of Miss Ashton, a barmaid.  

Her body was found at her home in Winton, Salford, on Saturday and a post mortem concluded her death was caused by pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.  

Miss Ashton's two daughters, Daisy and Destiny, were not present at the time of the attack.

Greater Manchester Police have described Cope as a "dangerous man" and are offering a reward of £5,000 for information that leads to his capture. 

Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan said: "We are continuing to do all we can to trace Michael Cope and urge him once again to hand himself in to the police.

"We also reiterate our appeal to those who may have information on Cope's whereabouts to speak to us in confidence.

"We are also working with our partner agencies to look at evicting anyone who is using their property to offer this man safety."

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