Police have been given more time to question the suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Gloucestershire vicar John Suddards, whose death has been linked to that of a retired teacher last month.
Stephen Farrows is being questioned over the deaths of 77-year-old Betty Yates, who was stabbed to death at her cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on 2 January, and Reverend Suddards, 59, who was also found with stab wounds at his home in Thornbury last week.
Avon and Somerset police officers, who were granted permission to hold him for an additional 36 hours, confirmed that the custody extension will be used to quiz the 47-year-old over the deaths of both victims.
Farrow was initially arrested in Folkestone on Sunday on suspicion of murdering the vicar following a nationwide manhunt but was also later arrested on suspicion of murdering the former teacher who was found dead at the bottom of stairs at her home on the banks of the River Severn two days after she was killed.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said: "Police have obtained a further warrant of detention in relation to the 47-year-old man currently in custody. This warrant is for an additional 36 hours. This takes us until the early hours of Wednesday morning."
Farrow's arrest came hours before a senior church figure said the clergy should continue to open their doors to "people who are distressed and angry" in the wake of Suddards' murder.
The Venerable Geoffrey Sidaway, Archdeacon of Gloucester, spoke after taking the Sunday morning service at St Mary's Church, saying it was not the time for the clergy to close their doors.
"By the nature of the position, clergy are often dealing with people who are distressed and angry, and that can put us in very vulnerable situations," he said.
"The door must stay open - that is the whole point of the job.
"We need to be a church with an open door which is there to welcome and to help everyone."
The news of Suddards' death sent shock waves through the clergy and the close-knit community, 11 miles north of Bristol. He had only taken up his post last July, having come from the diocese of Chelmsford in Essex.
News of the 36-hour extension to quiz Farrow came as parishioners prepared to hold a private candlelight vigil at St Mary's Church on Monday night to remember Suddards.