It was a week ago today (Tuesday) that the body of 33-year-old Scott Cooper was found in a flat in Ryde, prompting a large-scale murder investigation – Operation Amaryllis. Here is what we know about the case so far…
At 02:50 on Tuesday 4th January, Police attended a property in George Street, Ryde. What exactly officers did at that time is unclear, but it was not until around 12 hours later that Police returned to the address. It is claimed that Hampshire Constabulary was made aware of concerns sometime around the early hours of Tuesday, but that these were ‘not taken seriously’.
Eyewitnesses say that Police arrived at the property – a block of flats between Anglesea Street and Cross Street – on Tuesday afternoon wearing riot gear and holding shields. A cordon was soon erected after Scott’s body was discovered inside a flat belonging to Piers Brazier.
Forensic investigators arrived in George Street on Tuesday evening and now, 7 days later, a crime scene remains in place. A cleanup team has been inside the flat today faced with what Island Echo has been told is a bloody crime scene.
Details of how Scott died have not yet been officially released and may not be publically known until March.
Last Wednesday, Police confirmed that they had launched a murder investigation and had arrested a 38-year-old man – now known to be Piers Brazier, who has since been charged with Scott’s murder. Brazier appeared before Winchester Crown Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to re-appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 14th March 2022.
It was said in court that Scott Cooper died on Monday 3rd January.
It wasn’t long until Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that they had also arrested a 28-year-old man and a 29-year-old man on suspicion of murder. This was followed by forensic searches of properties in New Street, Newport and Jellicoe Road in Ryde. The 2 men have since been bailed, with conditions.
The murder victim’s identity was confirmed on Friday as that of 33-year-old Scott Cooper from Newport. Mr Cooper’s name has been seen on Island Echo previously as being a regular in the Island’s magistrates court, something commented on by readers in the following days.
Hampshire Constabulary’s response to the incident is now subject to an independent investigation as the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It’s unclear exactly what part of the investigation requires oversight from the watchdog, but it is thought the referral is surrounding the Police’s response to the initial concerns and the apparent delay in locating Scott’s body.
It’s known by Island Echo that the door to a property 2 doors down was forced open, with an occupant returning to the address on Saturday morning having spoken with detectives.
No new updates are expected in the coming days and it may be several weeks until further details are revealed. But with 2 men on bail and 1 on remand, Police are certainly continuing their investigation to determine what happened inside the George Street flat and who is responsible for Scott Cooper’s murder.
I just find the whole thing incredibly sad. I don’t care what the circumstances were, nobody deserved to die like that and no one has the right to take the life of another.
Condolences to Scott’s family x
There are a lot of rumours about this shocking murder. If true, then the island has reached a real low for sure now. Not just a case of murder is all I will say. The people who did this need to be never let out if the rumours are true.
Key word there being rumours! One person been charged for this.. one person admitted it.. the other two released. Says it all.
Which is why people won’t hang for rumours that’s the clause for question.
It’s a shame that we don’t punish murderers anymore.