A SOMBRE vigil was held to remember Thornbury vicar John Suddards, as detectives continued to question the man suspected of his murder.
The popular clergyman, 59, right, was found stabbed at his vicarage last Tuesday morning.
Stephen Farrow, 47, was arrested at about 4am on Sunday following a nationwide appeal to find him.
Yesterday afternoon, Bristol magistrates granted Avon and Somerset police a further 36 hours to question him, allowing them to do so until tomorrow morning if necessary.
They will then be able to ask for a further extension of 18 hours to decide whether to charge or release him.
After six days of grieving, parishioners made their way to St Mary's Church last night to remember Rev Suddards, who had become very popular despite only having arrived in Thornbury from Essex last July.
The church on Castle Street had been cordoned off from last Tuesday morning, when workmen found his body, but was reopened to the public on Sunday.
The Evening Post reported yesterday that detectives had linked Mr Suddards' death with that of retired teacher Betty Yates, 77, who was found dead at the bottom of stairs at her home near Bewdley on the banks of the river Severn on Wednesday, January 4, having been killed two days earlier.
Mrs Yates was attacked with her own walking stick before being stabbed to death.
No one has yet been charged with her murder.
Mr Farrow was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, on Sunday after a tip-off from a member of the public.
A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "It can be confirmed that, following close liaison with Avon and Somerset Police, detectives have formally linked the murder of Mrs Yates to the murder of the Reverend John Suddards in South Gloucestershire."
Avon and Somerset police appealed for help in tracing Mr Farrow shortly after releasing a 43-year-old man they had been questioning for more than three days.
Mr Suddards' murder has devastated his family and colleagues, and shocked the Thornbury community.
In Thornbury, nearly 300 people packed into the town's baptist church on Friday for a service in his memory.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp said: "I would like to thank members of the public for all their help in this investigation so far.
"We continue to encourage anyone who has not yet come forward to do so if they feel there is anything they think would help the investigation."
Anyone with information on either of the murders should call the force non-emergency number 101 and ask for Avon and Somerset or West Mercia Police. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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