The father arrested over the death of his eight-year-old daughter is recovering after undergoing surgery for a knife wound, as police wait to quiz him.
Police are still waiting to quiz Bill Billingham in connection with the stabbing of eight-year-old Mylee who was found dead at his home in Brownhills, West Midlands, on Saturday night.
The 54-year-old is being guarded in hospital by armed police as he remains sedated, following the operation for a stomach injury believed to be self inflicted.
Friends say Mylee’s mother mother Tracey Taundry, 33, is ‘beside herself with grief’ and today she updated her Facebook profile picture to show a pink ribbon emblazoned with the words ‘Mylee RIP.’
Police are still waiting to quiz Bill Billingham (left) in connection with the stabbing of eight-year-old Mylee (right)
Bill Billingham, 54, posted this picture of his daughter Mylee Billingham on Facebook eating pizza on a bed with the caption: ‘Pitza on bed lv moo x’
Members of the local community came together today to pay their respects to Mylee
His condition deteriorated and he was in a critical condition but following surgery for a stab wound he is now stable and under sedation.
BIllingham posted a picture on social media of Mylee, who he nicknamed Boo, eating a pizza in bed just minutes before police were called to the scene.
Detectives are keen to interview him and formally arrest him ‘as soon as possible’ over his daughter’s death.
A spokesperson added: ‘He has to be given a full health clearance from medical staff before officers can question him. There is no time scale, it could take days.’
Police are awaiting results of a post mortem conducted on Mylee.
The spokesperson said Mylee’s mother Tracey was ‘traumatised,’ adding: ‘We continue to support Mylee ‘s family at this tragic time.’
A relative of Tracey, who lives a mile from the murder scene, said: ‘We’re still trying to piece together what happened and why. Tracey is beside herself with grief.
‘She can’t believe she’s lost her little girl, her beautiful smiley Mylee, and keeps saying her life’s been destroyed.’
A GoFundMe page set up in support of Mylee’s family has raised more than £1,000.
The picture given to police by the family of Mylee Billingham, eight, dressed in a black and pink fairy dress and holding a pink wand
Television star and SAS hero Mark Billingham MBE, right, and his brother Bill, left, who is understood to be in hospital
Well wishers have been laying dozens of teddies, letters and floral tributes at the scene
The murder suspect’s brother Mark Billingham MBE is one of the stars of Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins and was once a private body guard for Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise (pictured with the couple)
Forensic experts continued to sift through evidence at the cordoned off property
Billingham moved into the modest council bungalow two months ago after splitting from his long term partner Tracey.
Local councillor Steve Wade, echoing shocked residents’ sentiments, posted online: ‘What a terrible incident in Brownhills. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. No words can explain how they must be feeling at this devastating news. So very, very sad.’
As forensic experts continued to sift through evidence at the cordoned off property, well wishers have been laying dozens of teddies, letters and floral tributes at the scene.
Mylee’s uncle, SAS hero and TV star Mark Billingham, is an instructor on Channel 4’s hit show SAS Who Dares Wins, which is half way through it’s current pre-recorded series.
And Bill Billingham’s Facebook profile was so overwhelmed with tributes to Mylee it bizarrely got updated to become a ‘Remembering page’ for him today.
The profile changed to read: ‘Remembering Bill Billingham. We hope people who love Bill will find comfort in visiting his profile to remember and celebrate his life.’
The confusion led to rumours on Facebook that Billingham had died.
St James Church in Brownhills, was packed with more than 50 people who attended one of three special candle-lit services. The church doors were open from 8.30am till 11am to allow churchgoers to pray for the schoolgirl’s family
A police presence remains at the scene of he tragedy, with flowers surrounding the forensics tent
Grief-stricken members of the community have left notes in memory to the youngster
Members of the local community came together today to light candles and pay their respects to Mylee in St James Church in Brownhills.
The church was packed with more than 50 people who attended one of three special candle-lit services.
A statement on the church’s Facebook page said: ‘Following the sad news of Mylee Billingham’s tragic death, St James Church will be open.
‘This will provide time and space to light a candle, say a prayer or have moment of reflection as we remember Mylee and her family at this time.’
Commenting on the post, Mylee’s big sister Zayna Leigh said: ‘She was too young and beautiful, go collect your wings sissy ‘Love your big sister- Zayna.’
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said today: ‘A 54-year-old man who was found with a stab wound to his stomach underwent surgery yesterday. He remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
‘He is under sedation and has not been spoken to by officers yet.’
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