AN INVESTIGATION into a series of Isle of Wight arson incidents has collapsed following the death of a suspect, police have confirmed.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has concluded its investigation into a string of arson attacks in East Cowes, wherein multiple vehicles were targeted and deliberately set alight, causing upwards of £400,000 of damage.

The investigation focused on several crimes in the town, predominantly taking place between July 14, 2022, and June 19, 2023, in the York Avenue, Mayfield Road, Victoria Grove and Kent Avenue areas.

The force says there have not been any further reports connected with the case since June of last year.

On September 1, 2023, police arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of arson as part of their investigation. 

He was released from custody but remained under investigation while enquiries were ongoing.

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A spokesperson for the force said: “Police have been following up every available line of enquiry.

“On August 17, police were notified that the suspect in this case had passed away.

“Since this time, and following a careful review of all of the evidence available to police, a decision has now been made for this investigation to be filed pending any further information coming to light.”