Detectives investigating the death of Mackala Higgins in Paddington Grove say Richard Sean Ball, 56, has now also been charged with murder and is due before magistrates today. A Bournemouth man has been charged with murder after a woman’s death in Paddington Grove. Dorset Police said officers were called at twenty five minutes past two in the morning on Wednesday, the first of July 2026, after a woman was found at an address. Ambulance staff also attended, and Mackala Higgins, aged 51, was confirmed to have died at the scene. Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team have been carr
A Bournemouth man has been charged with murder after a woman’s death in Paddington Grove.
Dorset Police said officers were called at twenty five minutes past two in the morning on Wednesday, the first of July 2026, after a woman was found at an address. Ambulance staff also attended, and Mackala Higgins, aged 51, was confirmed to have died at the scene.
Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team have been carrying out detailed enquiries. Richard Sean Ball, 56, of Bournemouth, had previously been charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body, and he has now also been charged with murder.
Ball has been remanded in custody and is due at Southampton Magistrates’ Court today, while a Bournemouth woman aged in her 30s remains released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Jenkins said “our thoughts remain very much” with Mackala’s family, and reminded the public that the case is subject to “active court proceedings” and should not be prejudiced by commentary.
