[michael21]

http://www.independent.ie/world-news...s-3043505.html

A 35-year-old man has been arrested after a headless torso, believed to be that of Gemma McCluskie, a former EastEnders actress, was dragged from Regent’s Canal in East London.

The limbless body was discovered near to the Broadway Market stretch of Regent’s Canal in Hackney, London, yesterday afternoon.

Miss McCluskie, who appeared in more than 30 episodes of the BBC soap as Kerry Skinner in 2001, disappeared from her home in Bethnal Green, last Thursday.

Her brother Danny joined more than 100 people who had been carrying out searches across east London and handing out leaflets.

Former co-stars Natalie Cassidy, Martine McCutcheon and Brooke Kinsella joined the Twitter appeal for help finding her.

Ms Kinsella tweeted: “Please get in touch if you have seen her.” Her phone had not been switched on since last Thursday afternoon.

Detectives, who launched a murder investigation after discovering the body, said the suspect remains in custody at an east London police station. McCluskie’s family were said to be “fearing the worst”.

A spokeswoman said: “At this early stage officers believe they know the identity of the victim but must await further forensic tests before formal identification can take place.

“Police were initially contacted by a member of the public who had noticed something suspicious floating in the water.

“The torso was recovered by divers from the Met’s Marine Support Unit and additional searches are due to be carried out in the water.”

A post-mortem examination was taking place at Poplar Mortuary as an incident room was opened in Barking. Detective Inspector John Nicholson is leading the murder inquiry.

McCluskie’s character was a friend of Zoe Slater and the great niece of the late Ethel Skinner. Skinner was written out of the Albert Square soap after the breakdown of a relationship with the character Robbie Jackson.

McCluskie’s older brother Tony said that her disappearance was “completely'” out of character and that she had never been missing before. Before the torso find, he said: “We are going out of our mind with worry. She is a bubbly, outgoing, strong and independent woman.”

McCluskie was wearing a mustard-coloured top, blue leggings, dark brown Ugg boots and large sunglasses before she went missing. She is also believed to have have been carrying a small Louis Vuitton handbag with her.

Police were treating the death as “unexplained” pending the results of the post-mortem.

[Marsh.]

I knew they'd found a body, but headless and limbless?? That's awful.

[Saph]

McCluskie was wearing a mustard-coloured top, blue leggings, dark brown Ugg boots and large sunglasses before she went missing.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17290560

The arrested man is believed to be her brother Tony McCluskie.

[Me. I Am Salman]

What?

[Ammi]

...her brother!!

[arista]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...her brother!!

Yes Reported on ITV1 London News

[bbfan1991]

Oh gosh that is awful.

[Patrick]

*Was going to say it would make a good Soap storyline but now's not the time*

That's bad. What character was it though out of interest? Like what was her purpose?
30 Episodes - she sounds like an irrelevant character?

[Me. I Am Salman]

Originally Posted by Patrick

*Was going to say it would make a good Soap storyline but now's not the time*

That's bad. What character was it though out of interest? Like what was her purpose?
30 Episodes - she sounds like an irrelevant character?

McCluskie's EastEnders character Kerry Skinner was a close friend of Zoe Slater in the soap, and the great niece of Ethel Skinner. She also dated Robbie Jackson, who proposed to her at one stage.

..

[Kizzy]

WOW that is actually like an eastenders storyline :/ when the news reader said they were questioning her brother doof doof moment or what?

[Niamh.]

That sounds really gruesome :/

[Callum]

How tragic. Thoughts go out to her family and friends.

[Kazanne]

I asked earlier who this was as i am an avid EE fan and can't remember her,and it seems most others on the thread couldn't either,what a terrible thing to happen to her and they say they have arrested her brother!

[InOne]

Youtube video

Her final time in EE. Think I remember her a bit

[InOne]

comes in around 2mins

[Kizzy]

I think i recognise her, not from EE from grange hill.... i may be wrong, it has been known lol

[Jords]

Thats sickening

[waterhog]

Originally Posted by kizzy

I think i recognise her, not from EE from grange hill.... i may be wrong, it has been known lol

you got a good memory kizzy - grange hill was like 30000 years ago lol

[MTVN]

Now been confirmed it was her http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17319303

[Ninastar]

that's awful

[InOne]

Awful

[Me. I Am Salman]

That is just sad

[Angus]

Her brother Tony has now been charged with her murder. I feel so sorry for the mother who is suffering with brain cancer. Imagine losing your daughter in such a gruesome way and then being told your son was responsible. Just so unbelievably awful.

[waterhog]

the whole story is horrible. so sad i feel.