Murder inquiry launched after Bristol post-mortem

Joanna Yeates, whose snow-covered body was found by dog walkers on Christmas Day, was strangled, police have confirmed.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones of Avon and Somerset Police revealed the results of a post mortem examination as he declared that her death was now officially being treated as a murder investigation.

He said Joanna, who disappeared on Friday, December 17, had died as a result of compression of the neck.

He appealed for any information about her murder, adding: "Somebody out there does know what happened to Joanna."

Speaking at a press conference he said police believed her body had been at the spot where she was found for several days.

"What we have to do next is to try and find out why she was killed and who was responsible," he added.