A MURDER hunt has begun to find a man after a woman was found dead in Hatfield.

Officers want to trace the dead woman’s ex-partner 35-year-old Martin Collett.

As the Welwyn Hatfield Times previously reported, officers were called at around 5.20pm on Tuesday to the woman’s address in Glebeland, Hatfield.

She is believed to have died between May 22 and May 24.

A post-mortem has taken place and formal identification is due to take place this afternoon.

The victim’s family live overseas and are being support by a specialist Family Liaison Officer.

Martin has connections in a number of places across the country including Southampton, Bristol and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Detective chief inspector Mark Ross said: “This is a tragic case involving people who are known to each other but no doubt members of the local community will be shocked by what has happened.

“My team are making a number of inquiries across the country to trace Martin as a matter of urgency but I would like to reassure members of the public that we do not believe he is a threat to anyone.

“Martin may be anywhere in the country and I would ask anyone who thinks they have seen him since May 22, or anyone who knows where he is to contact our incident room directly on 01707 355959 or call Hertfordshire Constabulary on 0845 3300 222.

“If you have had any previous contact with Martin, we would also like to hear from you. If you don’t feel comfortable in contacting police directly, please do call Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555111.”