Story summary
A pregnant woman, identified as Samantha Natalie Phythian, 35, from Rhyl, died after her body was found in a burning van on Gas Works Lane in Prestatyn, North Wales, at around 11:30 pm on Sunday. Emergency services were alerted to the fire, and upon recovery of Ms Phythian's body, a murder investigation began.
Post-mortem examinations confirmed that Ms Phythian was pregnant when she died. A second man, aged 47, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson and possession with intent to supply drugs related to her death. Thomas Matthew Hammond Bell, 38, appeared at Mold Crown Court via videolink where he was remanded in custody.
Judge Geraint Walters indicated that Ms Phythian might have been alive when the fire started, suggesting she died as a result of arson. The case is scheduled to be adjourned for further proceedings until January and potentially go to trial in April next year for three weeks.
Written for “Arrest in Van Fire Homicide Case” on 2026-10-10,
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A second man has been arrested after a pregnant woman's body was found in a burning van, which she may have been alive in when it was set alight.
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it → arrest → van
Samantha Natalie Phythian was discovered after police were alerted to a burning van on Gas Works Lane in Prestatyn, North Wales, at around 11.30pm last Sunday.
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police → discover → 11.30pm
Post-mortem examinations revealed Ms Phythian, from Rhyl, was pregnant at the time of her death, North Wales Police have said.
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Police → reveal → death
A murder probe was launched and a second man, 47, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson and possession with intent to supply drugs.
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man → launch → drugs
Thomas Matthew Hammond Bell, 38, has since been charged with her murder.
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Bell → charge → murder
He appeared at Mold Crown Court on Friday via videolink and was remanded in custody.
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He → appear → custody
Judge Geraint Walters said it is believed that the victim was alive when the van fire started and that the defendant’s case was that he did not start the fire.
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he → say → fire
The judge said: 'The victim was alive at the time, or at least sufficiently alive, and she was killed as a result of the arson itself.'
The case was adjourned to January for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
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case → say → hearing
A potential trial date was scheduled to take place for three weeks in April next year.
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date → schedule → April
Samantha Natalie Phythian, 35, whose body was found in a burning van in Prestatyn
Emergency services rushed to reports of a vehicle on fire in the seaside town of Prestatyn, North Wales, at around 11.30pm on Sunday
A murder investigation was launched after Ms Phythian's body was recovered from the van
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body → find → van
Post-mortem examinations revealed Ms Phythian, from Rhyl, was pregnant at the time of her death, according to police.
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Phythian → reveal → police
In a tribute, her family described her as a 'much-loved mum, daughter, sister, auntie and friend'.
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family → describe → mum
The family said: 'Samantha, who everyone knows as Sammi, will be remembered for the special place she held in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her.
'
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who → say → her
Her tragic and untimely death has left her family and friends devastated, struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone who meant so much to so many.
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who → leave → many
'No family should ever have to endure the pain of losing a loved one in such circumstances.
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family → have → circumstances
While her life has been cruelly cut short, the memories she created, the love she gave and the lives she touched will never be forgotten.
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she → cut → ?
She will forever be cherished by those who loved her, and she will be deeply missed.
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she → cherish → her
'As a family, we would like to ask people to be mindful and respectful of rumours circulating over social media platforms at this devastating time.'
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we → like → time
Detective Chief Inspector Zoie Dunkerley said: 'My thoughts are with Sammi's family and friends.
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thoughts → say → family
I would also urge the community to be careful of commenting anything which would add to the family's distress or interfere with the ongoing active legal proceedings.'
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which → urge → proceedings
Councillor Gerry Frobisher, of Prestatyn Town Council, said: 'This type of incident, as far as I am aware, has never occurred in Prestatyn before.
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I → say → Prestatyn
I believe that a person has been arrested in connection with the incident.
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person → believe → incident
My thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased.'
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thoughts → go → deceased
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