Police search for body of missing £3m B&B owner

Detectives were today continuing the search for the body of a wealthy guesthouse owner who they believe has been murdered.

Joanna Brown, who runs an award-winning bed and breakfast in Ascot, was reported missing at about 8am yesterday after vanishing from her extensive country home.

Following the call and an initial examination of the property, officers from Thames Valley Police's major crime team arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

Police confirmed that the suspect, who is in his forties, was known to twice-married Mrs Brown, 46.

He was named in reports as her second husband, airline pilot Robert Brown. Forensic science officer yesterday cordoned off the house and grounds of Tun Cottage, which borders Windsor Great Park, and began searching for clues to Mrs Brown's whereabouts.

The mock-Tudor guesthouse — worth in the region of £3 million — is described on its website as "a beautiful English country home" and has been awarded a 4 Gold Award by Visit Britain.

Mrs Brown was understood to have lived at the property for 12 years before turning it into a guesthouse three years ago.

A police spokesman said: "Thames Valley Police have arrested a man in his forties from the Windsor area on suspicion of murder.

"The arrest follows a call received by police shortly before 8am yesterday following concerns for the welfare of a woman from the Ascot area. At this time, officers are yet to locate the woman, who is aged in her forties." The suspect remained in police custody today at Maidenhead police station, where he is being questioned by detectives.