Police given more time to quiz man arrested on suspicion of murdering Bulgarian woman

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Gergana Prodanova from Exeter have been granted an extension to the custody of a 42-year-old Bulgarian man while they continue their investigations.

The man was arrested on Wednesday 10th August 2016 on suspicion of murder in connection with Gergana’s disappearance.

The 38-year-old Bulgarian woman was reported missing on Monday 8th August by work colleagues when she failed to turn up for her work shifts as a housekeeper at the Great Western Hotel in the St David’s area of the city over the weekend of 6th – 7th August.

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan said: “We are extremely concerned for Gergana’s safety and wellbeing. It is completely out of character for her to not turn up for her work at the hotel.

“In addition to this she was regularly in touch with her family in Bulgaria by telephone, and these calls stopped last week.

“We know from her family, who care for her three children, that she has not returned to Bulgaria.”

Police have released two new CCTV images of Gergana. She was captured on CCTV in the Best One In Turkish supermarket on Sidwell Street, Exeter at 8pm on Thursday 4th August.

The new images show Gergana some 8 minutes later at the top end of Sidwell Street passing James Owen Court, near to the site of the recent Richer Sounds fire. Her home address is in Mount Pleasant.

Det. Supt. Burgan said: “We would very much like to talk to anyone who saw Gergana in this area or elsewhere from 8pm onwards on Thursday 4th August. The new images confirm that she was wearing a three quarter length beige coat, a black rucksack, and by this point was carrying a blue plastic carrier bag. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall, has long black hair and is of slim build.

“She also appears to be talking to someone on her mobile phone. If it was you that she was talking to, please contact the police, as it could provide vital information to our search for Gergana.”

Police are making extensive searches, including using the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter, of the Mount Pleasant area of Exeter where Gergana had a flat.

If you saw Gergana, or have any information that could help police, call 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk and quote log number 462 of the 8th of August.