Homeless man, 22, is charged with murdering missing 32-year-old woman who disappeared more than a week ago

A homeless man has been charged with the murder of a 32-year-old woman who disappeared in Exeter more than a week ago.

Christopher Mayer, 22, was charged by police on Friday evening and will appear before Exeter Magistrates' Court today.

Lorraine Cox was last seen in Exeter city centre in the early hours of Tuesday, September 1, and was reported missing two days later.

Ms Cox, a Type 1 diabetic, had left her vital medical kit left at home, which sparked concern among her friends. 

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Christopher Mayer, 22, was charged last night with the murder of Lorraine Cox (pictured), 32, after she went missing in Exeter city centre on September 1

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Police erected Special Operations Tents in Mary Arches Street, Exeter, Devon, on Thursday as they launched a murder investigation

Five other men were arrested along with Mayer and have been released on bail until October 7.

Devon and Cornwall Police say Ms Cox's family are being kept informed of any updates and are being supported by trained officers.

They have asked for their privacy to be respected.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Nattrass, from the major crime investigation team, said that extensive searches were taking place in and around Mary Arches Street in Exeter city centre.

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Ms Cox, a Type 1 diabetic, had left her vital medical kit left at home, which sparked concern among her friends

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Devon and Cornwall Police say Ms Cox's family are being kept informed of any updates and are being supported by trained officers

He said: 'A cordon remains in place and the public are likely to see police activity ongoing in the area for the next few days.'

The other men arrested are aged 22, 30, 33, 43 and 71.

Friends and family put up missing posters throughout the city after Ms Cox went missing last week.

Christopher Mayer will appear in Exeter Magistrates' Court later today.