POLICE today confirmed they have launched a murder inquiry following the suspicious death of 25-year-old Ipswich prostitute Gemma Adams.Her body was discovered by a member of the public in a brook at Thorpe's Hill in Hintlesham on Saturday.

POLICE today confirmed they have launched a murder inquiry following the suspicious death of 25-year-old Ipswich prostitute Gemma Adams.

The body of a woman was discovered by a member of the public in a brook at Thorpes Hill in Hintlesham at approximately 11.50am on Saturday.

A Home Office pathologist carried out a post mortem examination at Ipswich Hospital yesterday, Sunday, December 3.

Further tests need to be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.

Formal identification took place yesterday afternoon and confirmed that the body was that of Miss Adams.

Detective chief inspector David Skevington, who is overseeing the investigation into Gemma's murder, said: “The main focus of our investigations over the next few days will be in the area Miss Adam's body was discovered. This is a remote area, often used by anglers, dog walkers and ramblers; it is not an area that is easily accessible by car.

“Specialist search teams are currently conducting searches in the area the body was discovered. It has been necessary to close a section of the A1071 whilst these searches take place.

“We will be looking to use specialist resources from other forces such as dive teams to also help with this inquiry.

“When Gemma was found, her body was naked and we therefore need to try to find her clothing as a matter of urgency.

“Further enquires need to be carried out to try to ascertain how long Gemma had been in the water but our appeals are to anyone who had been in the area of Thorpes Hill in Hintlesham in the past two and a half weeks since Gemma went missing on November 14.

“Anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area or has found any items of clothing matching the description of those worn by Gemma on the night she went missing is asked to call us as a matter of urgency”.

Miss Adams, of Blenheim Road, Ipswich, had come into town on the evening of Tuesday, November 14 with the intention of working as a prostitute.

She was reported missing to police by her partner at 2.55am on Wednesday, November 15, after failing to return home.

When last seen she was wearing a black waterproof waist length jacket with a hood and a zip up the front, light blue jeans with studs on the pockets, a red top and white and chrome Nike trainers, she was also carrying a black handbag.

Tania Nicol, another Ipswich prostitute and a friend of Miss Adams also went missing. The 19-year-old, of Woolverstone Close, Ipswich, vanished after going out to work in Ipswich on October 30.

Anyone with information which could help the inquiry team relating to either of the women should telephone the police incident room on 01473 613538 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.