Dorset Police news site

Detectives are appealing for information from the public to locate a man wanted in connection with the death of a woman in Bournemouth.

56-year-old Richard Sean Ball, also known as Rick and Ricky, is wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the death of a 51-year-old Bournemouth woman in Paddington Grove.

He is described as approximately five feet seven inches tall and of medium build with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone who sees Richard Sean Ball is urged to dial 999 immediately.

Dorset Police received a report at 2.25am on Wednesday 1 July 2026 that the body of a woman had been found at an address in Paddington Grove.

Officers attended alongside the ambulance service and very sadly the woman was confirmed dead at the scene. Her next of kin was made aware and are continuing to be updated by officers in relation to developments in the investigation.

A cordon remains in place at the scene while enquiries are carried out to establish the full circumstances of the death, which is currently being treated as suspicious.

Following detailed enquiries, a woman aged in her 30s of Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been released under investigation as enquiries continue.

Chief Inspector Nicola Jenkins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “We are urgently trying to locate Richard Sean Ball in connection with the death and I am now appealing to any members of the public with information regarding his whereabouts to please come forward.

“We would urge anyone who sees him to not approach and instead dial 999 immediately.

“We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries as we seek to establish the full circumstances of this death.

“As part of our investigation we have arrested a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender, with the arrest made to enable us to gather as much information as possible about circumstances surrounding this death, and in order to provide legal protection for the individual.

“I am continuing to appeal for anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in the area of Paddington Grove between Wednesday 10 June and Wednesday 1 July 2026, or anyone with further information that might assist our enquiries, to please come forward.

“A cordon remains in place at the address in Paddington Grove and there will continue to be an increased police presence in the area. Officers can be approached by anyone with information or concerns.

“Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family and loved ones of the woman who sadly died and we are continuing to keep them fully updated with any developments.

"This remains an active investigation and I would again like to urge people to respect the privacy of those involved and to not speculate online or on social media without verified facts.”

Anyone who sees Richard Sean Ball is urged to dial 999 immediately. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55260097894. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.