Man questioned in
connection with Tennyson murder

Police in London have arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the brutal murder of Hallam Tennyson, the gay great-grandson of famed British poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Times of London reported Thursday. A former partner discovered Tennyson, 85, dead in his bed on December 21. He had suffered head injuries as well as stab wounds to the neck, the medical examiner told reporters. Police officials provided no other details about the suspect, who is being questioned. The BBC reported that detectives are trying to reconstruct the last moments of Tennyson's life to try and determine a motive for the killing. Investigator Tony Nash told reporters that Tennyson, a former BBC executive, was an elderly and vulnerable man. Nash pleaded with anyone who might be able to shed light on the attack to come forward. "Despite his years Mr. Tennyson was a lively individual who continued to lead a full and active life," he added. Family members told police that Tennyson invited men back to his apartment up to three times per week. "Normally, you worry about your teenage children, but we were worried about him," Tennyson's daughter-in-law Janice told the Times. "We are all absolutely devastated. We were all very close to him, particularly our children, who shared with him a love of drama." Tennyson had two children and seven grandchildren. In 1998, Tennyson, writing about his sexual orientation, said, "Lord Tennyson, my great-grandfather, lived from 1809 to 1892 and would, no doubt, be absolutely horrified by me. He was a sexual prude, whereas I've always been very liberal when it comes to sex." (Advocate.com)