The husband of a well-known disabled rights campaigner arrested over her murder had been living apart from her in a van before she was killed.
Ray Hoadley, 62, was today being quizzed over the death of Jackie Hoadley, 57, after he was detained by police at a residential school for disabled children.
Chailey Heritage Foundation said Sussex Police had arrested a man after he was seen on the site, which is 25 miles from his wife’s house in Eastbourne, Sussex.
She had been discovered dead in the £150,000 semi-detached property after police were called on Sunday afternoon by a visitor.
Jackie, 57, and Ray Hoadley, 62, publicising the plight of their disabled children
Officers at Mrs Hoadley’s home discuss the next move during their murder investigation
Forensic officers comb the scene in Eastbourne at the Hoadleys’ home where Jackie was found
A map showing where Mr Hoadley was arrested and where his wife was found dead
Neighbours said they had not seen either of them during lockdown, when their two children would have been part of the vulnerable shielding group.
It is understood police have searched Mr Hoadley’s van, which had a mattress place in the back.
A spokesman for the Challey Heritage Foundation confirmed an arrest onsite on Sunday.
He added: “We can confirm there was an incident in the grounds of Chailey Heritage.
“Sussex Police arrived on site and apprehended the individual.
“We take the safety of all of those at Chailey Heritage as paramount and we had procedures in place should an incident like this occur.
“These procedures were activated immediately and the young people and their support workers were kept safe.
“No-one was harmed and all the young people who reside on site and the staff remained safe in their bungalows.
“Sussex Police secured the site and we are assisting them with their investigations.
Chailey Heritage Foundation, where Mr Hoadley was arrested by Sussex Police on Sunday
“We are also liaising with and notifying all other necessary statutory bodies.”
Chailey Heritage Foundation is a charity providing education, care and transition services to children and young adults with complex physical disabilities.
His wife was pronounced dead at her home and their two severely disabled children – who were not injured – are understood to be in the care of social services.
Sussex Police rushed to the scene after a visitor to the house raised the alarm.
Last night a modified family car with disabled stickers was still parked in the driveway as police forensic teams combed the property for evidence.
Jackie had posted an inspirational quote on her public Facebook page just 11 days ago urging strength to get through tough times.
It said: ‘You are strong enough to handle whatever’s coming, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.’
One of the Hoadleys’ neighbours Vicki Tester said she had seen police cars and ambulance at the house on Sunday afternoon.
Police have arrested Jackie Hoadley’s husband Ray on suspicion of her murder
She said: ‘They are a lovely family, I don’t really know what’s gone on.
‘They both look after their disabled children and obviously it’s a full time job.
‘We haven’t seen much of them lately because of lockdown.
‘Everybody knows them and we all have barbecues in the summer and there’s never been any trouble.’
Campaigner Mrs Hoadley told last year how her children were denied basic human rights by government cuts.
An online petition set up by Jackie calling for free incontinence pads for disabled children has so far been signed more than 88,500 times.
Murder victim Mrs Hoadley posted this inspirational Facebook message just 11 days ago
Mrs Hoadley visited Parliament with former Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd in October last year to lobby then social care minister Caroline Dineage.
Mr Lloyd said yesterday: “It’s absolutely tragic news to hear of Jackie’s death.
“I did some work with her last year on various constituency issues so to hear this awful news out of the blue is just appalling. I believe the police are now treating it as a murder enquiry which makes the whole thing even more bleak.”
The family lived in a house in the Stone Cross area of Eastbourne.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman’s body was discovered inside a house in Eastbourne.
‘Police and ambulance paramedics were called to Broad Oak Close at 1.59pm on Sunday (July 5) after a visitor to the house raised the alarm.
‘The woman had suffered serious injuries and was sadly declared dead at the scene.
‘Around an hour later, a 62-year-old man from Eastbourne was detained by police officers at Chailey and arrested on suspicion of murder.
‘He remained in custody on Sunday evening.
‘It is understood that the woman was known to the man and police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with her death.
‘Nobody else was injured.’