Murder arrest after missing Gary Hampson's blood found
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a missing Sussex father after traces of blood were found at the garage where he worked.
Gary Hampson, 42, of Portslade, was last seen in January when he picked his daughter up from her Brighton school and dropped her off at her home.
A missing person appeal was made this month after he failed to make contact with her on her 10th birthday.
Det Insp Phil Mays said a 48-year-old man was in custody.
He said: "Following extensive forensic examinations of the garage where Gary worked in Little Western Street, Brighton, blood was found at the premises and confirmed through DNA testing to be Gary's.
"Detectives are now treating this as a murder investigation."
He said Mr Hampson's mother and sister had been traced in Liverpool and specialist officers were supporting his family.
Police are still trying to piece together Mr Hampson's last movements after his final sighting in January.
Appealing for information, Det Insp Mays said: "Gary's family and friends know him as a devoted father and a well-liked local character.
"It is extremely difficult for them not to know what has happened to Gary."
Mr Hampson picked up his daughter, who he did not live with, and took her home from school on 6 January.
Police said he frequently travelled to Liverpool by car and had planned to go to the city the next day, but officers had yet to confirm whether he went there as planned.