POLICE have confirmed the body of a man found in North Yorkshire is that of Anthony Lawrence.

Lawrence was suspected of murdering Shane Gilmer and attempting to murder Mr Gilmer's pregnant partner, Laura Sugden, on Friday.

A manhunt, led by Humberside Police with the assistance of North Yorkshire Police, had been underway for him all weekend, following the discovery of Mr Gilmer's body and Ms Sugden at a property in Southburn, near Driffield.

A Humberside Police spokesman said on Monday that Lawrence's body was found on Sunday evening in in a vehicle parked in a layby close to Hackness in the North York Moors, near to Scarborough.

Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Miller said: "Our enquiries into this tragic murder investigation continue. The incidents over the weekend have led to the death of Shane Gilmer and attempted murder of Shane’s partner Laura Sugden who is pregnant. We will now look to establish the full details of the incident and continue to gather witness statements and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation.

"I want  to thank members of the public who have helped enormously over the weekend while we conducted searches for the suspect.  I want to particularly praise the residents of the Southburn and Driffield area who have been extremely stoic under the circumstances."

DCI Miller said Mr Gilmer's family were being supported by specially trained officers.

Police said on Sunday that a crossbow had been recovered from the scene of Mr Gilmer's murder, and said Ms Sugden and her unborn baby were in stable condition in hospital.