matthew Ashton arrives at a hotel on the same day wife Jia was murdered on her way home from work less than half a mile away.

The battered body of the 24-year-old was found dumped in dense woodland 300 yards from the gates of the Thorntons chocolate factory where she worked.

Detectives said she died after an assault but no weapon was used and she was not sexually assaulted.

Primary school teacher Mr Ashton, 26, is said to have rowed with Jia the day he was recorded on CCTV at the Travelodge near Alfreton, Derbys.

He was believed to have been arrested in connection with the murder and ­questioned for three days.

Police released him and it's thought he has been ruled out of the investigation. Mr Ashton headed to work at 7.30am the following morning before reporting Jia missing at 8.30pm that night.

He posted a message on Facebook saying: "Attention. Jia is currently reported as missing. If you have any information regarding her whereabouts please contact Derbyshire Police."

His mother, Susan Ashton, 60, yesterday said her son is "devastated". Speaking at her terraced home in Ashton-under-Lyne Gtr Manchester, she added: "It's obviously a terrible time for Matthew and everyone.

"He's devastated by her death and what has happened. He's in bits as we all are. We don't want people saying bad things about us. If everyone can be patient we'll be saying more in the future."

Economics graduate Jia was last seen at 5pm on Thursday March 10 as she left work, a mile from their home in Somercotes, by a path known as the Yellow Brick Road. Detectives believe she died minutes later.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Cotterill revealed officers found Mrs Ashton's handbag in the woods where her body was discovered, but some of her belongings may be missing.

Officers have carried out detailed forensic tests on his £40-a-night room and examined CCTV footage said to show him arrive at 5.15pm. A source said: "Two officers came to the hotel on Sunday night when they checked our logs.

"They were followed by a forensics team who spent 48 hours in the hotel over Monday and Tuesday."

Police told staff Mr Ashton spent the night there due to a row with his wife.

Jia arrived in Britain from China as a 16-year-old and studied in Brighton before completing an economics degree at Warwick University.

The couple married in China in 2006 and they lived in a £76,000 semi-detached home.

Mr Ashton's father John, 61, is married to Jia's mother and they live together in England.

Detectives are examining Jia's mobile phone and email records.

Colleague Adrian Ellis, 28, said the graduate had been talking to an American man online via a webcam.

He said: "She made it sound like a bit of a laugh but said he would show off bits of his body."

One friend of Mrs Ashton said: "She was such a gentle, placid person."

A local woman told police she saw a young man act "shiftily" near the Yellow Brick Road 24 hours after Jia vanished.

A couple who live nearby also said they saw suspicious activity in the woods on the same night.