PICTURED: Son, 18, arrested over missing millionaire farmer's murder while his older brother says family hoping he will be found alive as police search ex-wife's home for his body

  • Farmer William Taylor went missing just days before his 70th birthday in June
  • Police this week arrested his ex-wife and two sons along with another man
  • Forensics teams and police divers have been scouring her country home today 
The eldest son of a millionaire farmer who is feared murdered told today how he was holding onto a glimmer of hope that his father could still be alive as police have yet to find a body, saying: 'Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.'
Tearful Richard Taylor spoke out as forensics experts continued to scour the grounds of his dad William Taylor's estranged wife's home.
Angela Taylor, 52, her two sons Michael, 22, and William, 18, and a 53-year-old man have been jointly quizzed over his murder and conspiracy to commit murder but released on police bail.
Mr Taylor, who jointly farms with his father who vanished nearly four months ago, told MailOnline: 'Police are doing a good job.' Handing his hands up in gesture he said 'fingers crossed for a positive outcome' as he vowed: 'It's business as usual here.'
Angela is the missing man's second wife and Mr Taylor said of the suspects as he was carrying out farming duties. 'They have nothing to do with me.'
William Taylor was last seen on July 3
Angela Taylor has been questioned over William's disappearance.
Williams (left) disappeared eight days before his milestone 70th birthday in June. Angela Taylor (right) is William's second wife and has been questioned over his disappearance 
18-year-old Will Taylor (pictured) has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder
18-year-old Will Taylor (pictured) has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murderHe told of his heartache that his dad, known as Bill who disappeared eight days before his milestone 70th birthday in June may never be given the beautiful dog the family had bought him as a gift.
He is now caring for the puppy called Barley, believed to be a Vizsla, the companion his dad had been 'so looking forward' to getting.
In a poignant tribute on his Facebook Mr Taylor posted: 'Welcome to the family Barley. Barley was brought for my Dad for his 70th Birthday earlier this month!
Angela Taylor (left) in happier times with her children her two sons Michael, 22, and William, 18
Angela Taylor (left) in happier times with her children her two sons Michael, 22, and William, 18
'Unfortunately my Dad went missing just over a month ago now and still no further forward on finding him! My Dad was looking forward to finally getting a dog again and then for him to go missing before he even gets to meet him is heartbreaking.'
He pleads: 'If anyone knows anything or where Bill/William Taylor is please contact us or call the police.
'Barley needs his Dad to come home and care for himself. Pray for William Taylor.'
As well as farming William's super rich eldest son who lives in nearby St Ippolyts, near Hitchen, is an agricultural contractor and runs a luxury coach company Richard Taylor Travel.
The arable, wheat and cattle farmer went missing from his £1.2million home in Gosmore, Hertfordshire, where he is believed to have lived alone, at around 9pm on June 3.
Police and foresics with gas masks at  the house of Angela Taylor, the ex-wife of missing farmer William Taylor
Police and foresics with gas masks at the house of Angela Taylor, the ex-wife of missing farmer William Taylor
An investigation is being led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, into the disappearance of Mr Taylor (pictured) who went missing on June 3, just days before his 70th birthday

An investigation is being led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, into the disappearance of Mr Taylor (pictured) who went missing on June 3, just days before his 70th birthday
Barely the dog (pictured) was bought as a gift for the missing farmer's 70th birthday and is still yet to meet his owner
Barely the dog (pictured) was bought as a gift for the missing farmer's 70th birthday and is still yet to meet his owner
His neighbour Ashley told how his phone line had been cut before he disappeared.
The man, who declined to give his full name, said: 'Everyone around here is talking about Bill's disappearance and now police are looking for his body. It's shocking, it's horrific.
'We heard that his BT phone line had been tampered with and cut off in the weeks before he went missing. Bill was not big on mobiles and relied on his landline so if he was in trouble he wouldn't have been able to alert anyone.'
He said that Angela had split with her husband two years ago and had a new lover.
He added: 'He was a lovely guy and although I didn't know him well he would always stop to say hello.'
A woman living a few hundred yards from the scene also said: 'Bill was well-liked around here. He didn't say a great deal but he was very friendly.' 
It is understood Mr Taylor married Angela in 1997 and had three children and step-son Gavin with her.
A female family member from his first marriage believed to be his granddaughter - refused to comment on the investigation, saying it was 'not a good time'.
Police teams at his ex-wife's home in the Hertfordshire countryside this afternoon
Police teams at his ex-wife's home in the Hertfordshire countryside this afternoon
Officers were seen entering the property with breathing apparatus in the murder probe
Officers were seen entering the property with breathing apparatus in the murder probe
Officers were seen entering the property with breathing apparatus in the murder probe
A young woman living in a courtyard of converted barns opposite the investigation scene said: 'She [Angela Taylor] was our land lady. I'm not sure if they're [Angela and William Taylor] divorced or not. I see her with the children from time to time. They're all really nice people. I saw her a week ago. Everything seemed fine.'
Another neighbour said she would often see Mrs Taylor walking two dogs along the quiet country lane. 
Another of Mrs Taylor's tenants said: 'We got on absolutely fine. She was a lovely lady, it's a big shock. We were good friends with all of them, including Bill.'
Referring to the search for Mr Taylor, the man added: 'She [Angela] looked like she was under the weather from it. It's not a nice thing to go through.'     
A 20-strong team of detectives from two forces Hertfordshire and Essex were today dredging a pond and combing land at Sandra Taylor's 150-acre property, two miles away from her estranged husband's house.
A huge forensic tent has been set up in one of the barns at Mill Farm in Charlton.
The four suspects, released pending further police inquiries, were also arrested on a charge of arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with a vehicle fire at William's home which he reported to police a week before he went missing.
Police officers in forensics suits with sniffer dogs enter the property today to join the search
Police officers in forensics suits with sniffer dogs enter the property today to join the search
The investigation is being led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.
A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman said: 'Four people arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including murder, in connection with the on-going investigation to trace William Taylor from Gosmore, North Herts, have been released on bail.'
'Three men, aged 18, 22 and 53 years old and a 52 year old woman, who are all from Hitchin, were also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with a vehicle fire at William's home which was reported to police on 27th May.' 

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