DOUBLE murder suspect and former Droitwich Spa man Neil Entwistle could encounter delays before returning to American to face the US justice system.

Entwistle, who lived in Swan Drive before moving to America last August, has been arrested by police in London on suspicion of killing his American wife Rachel, aged 27, and their nine-month-old daughter Lillian. He also faces one charge of possession of a firearm and one charge of possession of ammunition. He denies the charges. Rachel and Lillian were found shot dead at their home in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on Sunday, January 22.

Investigators believe that the incident was intended to be a possible murder-suicide after Entwistle found himself in massive financial difficulties.

A statement from US District Attorney Martha Coakley said that the authorities believe that Entwistle left England and moved to America to start businesses that did not become a success.

"This is what authorities believe happened. At some time on Friday morning Neil Entwistle, with a firearm that we believe he had secured at some time before that from his father-in-law Joseph Matterazzo, shot Rachel Entwistle in the head and then proceeded to shoot baby Lillian, who was lying on the bed next to her mother.

"What we believe happened next was that Neil Entwistle returned the gun to his father-in-law's home in Carver and that he then made preparations to leave the country.

"For very good reason I must explain to you that Neil Entwistle is under arrest, but he is innocent until proven guilty by a court in this country," she said.

Entwistle agreed to face the US justice system when he appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London last Friday. He was arrested at Royal Oak tube station in west London the day before.

However, his return to America to face trial could now be delayed due to the snow storms which have recently hit the country.

Paul Dunne, assistant chief deputy for the Boston marshals office, which is responsible for escorting Entwistle back to the States, said the weather could cause a delay.

He told a Boston newspaper that marshals were unlikely to fly to England until later this week because of snowstorms that were expected to hit the north-eastern United States.

christopher.flavell@midlands.

newsquest.co.uk