David Atkinson, who is now known to have murdered Sally Geeson

Lance Corporal David Atkinson, from East Kilbride, was Cambridgeshire Police's prime suspect.

The student's naked body was found on Friday, almost a week after she disappeared in Cambridge.

David Atkinson killed himself on Saturday when he jumped from the top floor of a hotel in Glasgow.

The police officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Supterintendent Gary Swain, said he believed that the 22-year-old was sexually assaulted before her death.

Confession letter

CCTV evidence confirmed that Atkinson was cruising in his Land Rover in the centre of Cambridge at the time Sally left a pub there after bringing in the New Year.

Cambridge detectives said on Tuesday that the soldier left a letter in his hotel room confessing to the murder.

The Corus Hotel, where Atkinson killed himself

L/Cpl Atkinson was based at the Royal Engineers' Waterbeach barracks.

On Monday, the Army revealed he had been sent to a military jail after holding an 18-year-old Polish student captive in Germany in 1998.

He was cleared of kidnap and assault but served eight months in military prison after falsely imprisoning the woman. He was also fined �1,000

Atkinson was discovered outside a hotel in Glasgow about 12 hours after Miss Geeson's body was found.

He had set himself on fire before jumping from the window of the room on the sixth floor.

Family grieves

Miss Geeson's mother and sisters have visited the woodland at Madingley, Cambridgeshire, where her body was found.

Sue Geeson, 46, left a card and a single red rose at the scene. Sally's twin Julie, 22, and younger sister Nicola, 19, left bouquets also signed by their brother, John, 15.

Sally Geeson's mother and sisters visit the scene

Miss Geeson's mother and her sisters travelled from their home in Southend, Essex, on Tuesday morning to visit the spot near Cambridge.

Educational consultant Mrs Geeson's card read: "To my darling Sally. I will cherish every moment we spent together. My love always. Mum xx."

Julie's message read: "Always have and always will be in my heart and right by my side forever Sally. Love Jusie Wusie xx."

Nicola and John's card read: "My Sally. You will always be in my heart and never far from my side. I love you forever. Our big sister, All our love Nic (Gonzo) and John."