A man suspected of killing British embassy employee Rebecca Dykes in Lebanon was arrested Monday morning, a security source briefed on the matter told CNN.
According to the source, Dykes’ body was alleged to have been found in a ditch along a mountain highway close to the outskirts of the Lebanese capital.
The source added that police investigations had revealed she had been sexually assaulted and strangled with a rope.
The suspect, whose bodily fluids were allegedly found on Dykes’ body, is being questioned by police, according to the source.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed to CNN that Dykes was an employee at the UK Department of International Development at the UK Embassy in Beirut.
Dykes was last seen leaving a bar named “Demo” off of the Gemmayze Street, a popular nightlife spot near central Beirut on Friday night, according to the source. Her body was found on Saturday morning, the source added.
Hugo Shorter, British Ambassador to Lebanon, tweeted, “The whole embassy is deeply shocked, saddened by this news. My thoughts are with Becky’s family, friends and colleagues for their tragic loss. We’re providing consular support to her family & working very closely with Lebanese authorities who are conducting police investigation.”