THE prime suspect accused of raping, killing and burning former Altinkum expat Jan Bennett went to work in local vineyards hours after the murder, shocking new details have emerged.

The man, named by a Bulgarian news network as local Roma gypsy Ivan Georgiev (40), was arrested by police just 17 hours after the body of Mrs Bennett was discovered dumped in bushes just 200 metres from her home in Malomir, in Yambol, Bulgaria.

Police said that DNA discovered at the scene of the crime had led them directly to seek Georgiev who was detained on Saturday (Aug 1).

A handbag believed to be that of Mrs Bennett has been found, while officers carrying out a raid on the suspect’s home found several foreigners’ passports.

Mrs Bennett (67) had only settled in Malomir three months ago with her disabled husband Nick having lived in Altinkum for a number of years.

She had failed to return home after going out at 10pm on Thursday night (July 30). Her body was found on Friday (July 31).

News emerging tonight revealed that Georgiev had moved to Malomir some months previous after his mother had moved in with a local man.

Georgiev lived separately paying 30 lev rent. He earned his living as a laborer picking grapes in a vineyard.

The news network 24chasa (24 Hours) said that on Friday – a day after the brutal murder – the suspect went to the normal place where workers gathered and together with them were taken to the vineyards. However, at harvest, he waited for police.

According to experts at that time there were already clues that pointed to him as a suspect. 

Locals in Malomir alleged Georgiev was fond of getting drunk and wandering the streets at night, as well as singing loudly. One said: “Almost every evening from his home resonant music and drunken shouts could be heard. 

“More than once, people phoned the police. He was punished for petty hooliganism.”

The news network said that villagers had never seen the suspect and the victim talking together.

One line of inquiry is that Mrs Bennett may have been stopped by Georgiev who demanded money from her.

24 Hours suggested another line of police inquiry is that she may have returned home with her dogs and then went out again on her way to see another British family in the same street when her path met with that of Georgiev.

The network reported villagers as saying: “Although she does not speak Bulgarian, Jan had a very open heart and did not have any racial prejudices.”

It added that Mrs Bennett was dragged into bushes 200 metres from her home and raped, but she resisted. The forensic autopsy suggests she was assaulted with fists and kicks, and was hit repeatedly with a hard object to the head. It is alleged the suspect, in an attempt to cover his tracks, struck a match and lit the body.

Her body – described by those who found her- was like a ‘doll broken in two”. Her body was discovered on Friday by villagers, including a neighbour who helped provide garden maintenance.

It is understood that Mrs Bennett’s brother is arriving from England shortly, after being informed of her death.

The news network suggested that Mrs Bennett’s husband, who is disabled, remains in Yambol hospital under medical supervision. Village mayor Hristina Dimova said that the tragic news of her death was communicated to Mr Bennett in the presence of a doctor. 

The apparent swift arrest has been credited for the DNA analysis which was conducted at a scientific and technical laboratory in Burgas. Its chief Radoslav Rajchev said the DNA was crucial in nailing the suspect.

The full article can be read here: http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=4903419