1 August 2012 Last updated at 14:28 ET

Carole Waugh disappearance: Police launch murder inquiry

Carole Waugh has not been seen by her family since April

Police are now treating the disappearance of missing oil executive Carole Waugh as a murder investigation.

It follows the arrest on Tuesday at Luton Airport of a 47-year-old man.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and to kidnap. However police have now arrested him on suspicion of murder.

Currently nine people have been arrested and one charged over the disappearance of the 50-year-old, from Durham, who was last seen in April.

'Significant plundering'

Police are continuing to establish whether Miss Waugh was working as a prostitute.

Investigating officer Det Ch Insp John McFarlane said: "Information has been received which has progressed this inquiry and we are now treating Carole's disappearance as a murder investigation.

"I am unable to go into further detail about the nature of the new information at this time, however, we now believe that Carole has not been seen alive since 16 April.

"Since that time, significant plundering of her estate has taken place to the value of hundreds of thousands of pounds."

Of those arrested, three men and two women have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A 40-year-old man has been charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation arising from transactions associated with Miss Waugh's identity.

He is currently remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court in September.