Entwistle Arrest

Formerly a person of interest in the murders of his wife, Rachel, and 9 month old daughter, Lillian, Neil Entwistle is now the prime suspect. Entwistle was arrested by British authorities in a London tube station at 11:50 (6:50 am ET) this morning. A sealed warrant had been issued late yesterday. Held at a London police station, he faces charges of two counts of murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition. Considering the charges, it seems likely that the murder weapon has been found. Massachusetts police have been examining the gun collection of Rachel Entwistle's stepfather, running ballistics tests and searching for fingerprints and DNA evidence over the last couple of weeks. The Entwistles had been living in her parents' Carver home until ten days before the murders. Jim Hammer of Fox News reports that the family car has been absent from his parents' Worksop home since at least 7 am yesterday. Was Neil Entwistle attempting to flee? So far, there've been no reports of dyed hair or a goatee.

Boston Herald article

Update: 9:30 am CT

Moments ago, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley held a press conference to update the public on the status of the investigation. Several new items of information were released.

• Forensic evidence links a .22 caliber handgun from the collection of Rachel's stepfather, Joseph Matterazzo, to both Rachel and Neil. It is known that Rachel had not previously handled the gun. It wasn't specified whether that evidence is in the form of fingerprints, DNA, or both.


• Police believe that the shootings occurred Friday morning.


• It is believed that the gun was returned to the Matterazzo home late Friday morning or early Friday afternoon while Rachel's parents were out of the house.


• At 5 am Saturday morning, Neil Entwistle was at Logan International Airport attempting to raise funds to purchase a ticket to London. He was ultimately able to do so using a credit card.


• Police believe that a murder/suicide may have been the original intent. Neil Entwistle had substantial debt in England, no assets, and no means to support his family.


• At the time of the shootings, Rachel and Lillian were dressed in clothing that could be worn as sleepwear.


• Police do not believe that Neil was attempting to flee authorities, but simply to avoid the media. He was arrested without incident at a west London subway station.


• A hearing will be held later today or tomorrow in England. It could take days, weeks, or months for Entwistle to be extradited to the United States.
  

I have updated the Timeline accordingly.

I'm going to withhold comment on the murder/suicide supposition for now, except to say that Neil Entwistle is a coward, and my sympathy is for the victims and their family.

One more thing...Steve Huff has received some interesting correspondence regarding the case. Don't miss it.