Police in the United Kingdom fanned out Friday searching for the man they believe killed a former Windsor woman, who travelled the globe helping others only to be murdered in her own home.
Officers found Angela Hoyt dead inside her home in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, about 20 miles north of London, on Tuesday. Her ex-boyfriend Martin Collett is wanted on "suspicion of her murder."
"It is a very tragic incident," said Det. Chief Insp. Mark Ross, with the Hertfordshire Constabulary. "She was obviously well liked and well respected at work. She had a very valued job with International Red Cross. Her family and work colleagues are obviously very distraught over what's happened. It is a sad loss that unfortunately she's died so young, and in the circumstances that it happened."
Investigators believe the 34-year-old Red Cross worker was killed sometime between May 22 and May 24.
Her twin sister Ami Watanabe called police after getting a bad feeling. She'd been expecting a call from Hoyt on Tuesday but never heard from her.
"She tried all day to contact her and she'd become a bit concerned because that's not the norm," Ross, who is in charge of the investigation, told The Star on Friday.
Just after 5 p.m. United Kingdom time, Watanabe called police.
"She called the local police expressing concerns for the welfare of her sister," said Ross. "She was aware that she'd been having problems with her ex-partner."
Officers went to Hoyt's house. They knocked on the door and tried her cellphone. There was no answer.
"They forced entry and unfortunately found Angela dead inside the premises," said Ross.
Police won't say where in the house she was found or how she was killed.
"All we're saying at the moment is a forensic post mortem took place the following day and the pathologist confirmed that she was murdered," said Ross.
After police released Collett's picture to the media, they received several tips that he'd been spotted on the grounds of Hatfield House, a country house and former palace.
Ross said 30 officers, including canine units and a helicopter, scoured the area for clues on Friday.
"We've got some sightings of him yesterday in the local area and we're actively looking for him to get him arrested," said Ross.
"Understandably this is an extremely difficult time for Angela's family and it is vitally important we trace Martin Collett as soon as possible."
Hoyt leaves behind her parents Barb and Dwight Hoyt, her identical twin sister Ami Watanabe, Ami's husband Garry, and niece and nephew Tori and Kai.
She was born in Windsor in March 1977. Hoyt caught the travelling bug at a young age and has been to Italy, Gambia, Senegal and Pakistan. One of her favourite cities was France.
She moved to the UK in 1999 at age 19. Hoyt studied journalism at the University of Wales, then started a career in media and communications. Her latest job was as a public affairs and communications advisor with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
She spent the three months before her death working in Islamabad, Pakistan. "Angela was a very ambitious and driven girl," her family said in a written statement. "She had a passion for human rights and wanted to use her work to help improve the lives of those less fortunate. She had strong opinions and convictions."
The people she worked with were also inspired by her passion and conviction.
"Angela was full of life, a sparkling member of a close knit team who was never scared to voice an opinion and was passionate about the humanitarian work that she pursued so well," said Geoff Loane, Head of Mission at the International Committee of the Red Cross in London. "Her dedication to the Red Cross, first in Canada, then in London and briefly Pakistan, was inspirational. We are devastated by this news."
Sir Nick Young, CEO of the British Red Cross, added Hoyt's enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone who knew her.
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