Police say British soul singer Joss Stone may have been the intended victim of a murder plot after officers arrested two men near the entertainer’s home.
According to The Sun newspaper, the pair were allegedly found with plans of her home as well as swords, rope and a body bag.
Stone, 24, said in a statement that she was “absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal,” in Cullompton as police faced a Thursday afternoon deadline to charge or release the two men.
The suspects were arrested Monday morning near Stone’s home after neighbours reported a suspicious-looking vehicle. Her publicists wouldn’t say whether the singer was home at the time they were arrested.
Det.-Insp. Steve Parker said the men were carrying information about “an individual in the Cullompton area,” as well as items that led them to suspect they were planning to commit a crime.
The police would not confirm a report in The Sun newspaper that the men had swords, rope and a body bag, as well as maps and aerial photos of Stone’s property. Parker said it was “important to stress that no properties have been burgled and no individuals have been harmed.”
In 2007, Stone won a Grammy Award in the R&B category. She is also a member of Super Heavy with Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, reggae scion Damian Marley and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics.
With files from The Associated Press.