A BODY found in a brook near Copdock Mill was today identified as that of missing Ipswich teenager Tania Nicol.Police this afternoon confirmed formal identification of the body had taken place.

A BODY found in a brook near Copdock Mill was today identified as that of missing Ipswich teenager Tania Nicol.

Police this afternoon confirmed formal identification of the body had taken place.

Following the announcement they announced they had launched a linked murder investigation into the deaths of Miss Nicol and of her friend 25-year-old Gemma Adams, who also worked as a prostitute and whose body was found in Hintlesham last Saturday.

In a statement the force said: “Formal identification has taken place and police can confirm the body is that of missing 19-year-old Tania Nicol.”

A post mortem on Miss Nicol's body was conducted at Ipswich Hospital by a Home Office pathologist but police leading the investigation said further tests would be required to ascertain the cause of death.

They are also waiting on the results of tests to learn the cause of Miss Adams' death.

Detective Superintendent Andy Henwood, who is leading the inquiry into both deaths, said: “Following the discovery of Tania's body in the brook at Copdock we are now beginning a linked murder investigation.

“There are obvious similarities between Tania and Gemma's disappearances and subsequent deaths so we will be treating these as linked investigations.”

Specialist officers were today combing the area where Miss Nicol's body was found and police said cordons will remain place until those searches were complete.

For full story see Monday's Evening Star.

To pay tribute to Tania Nicol or Gemma Adams and send a message to their family visit the online condolence books at www.eveningstar.co.uk.