Sir Richard Sutton: owner of London's Athenaeum hotel murdered at country mansion

Man, 34, arrested in connection with attack on British millionaire and his wife

Sir Richard Sutton was the millionaire owner of the Athenaeum hotel, Piccadilly, in central London. AP Photo/Getty Images

A multimillionaire hotelier was stabbed to death at his country mansion in England.

Sir Richard Sutton, 83, suffered several knife wounds in the attack that left his partner, in her 60s, fighting for her life.

The assault occurred at the couple's country estate near Gillingham, Dorset, on Wednesday evening.

The aristocrat owns several high-profile hotels in central London, including the five-star Sheraton Grand on Park Lane and the Athenaeum near Piccadilly.

The Sheraton Grand on Park Lane is one of London’s most well-known hotels. PA

Police in London arrested a man, 34, in connection with the incident, who was believed to be known to the couple.

Sir Richard was one of the UK's wealthiest people and featured in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2017, with assets of more than £200 million ($274m).

He had an extensive property and farming portfolio, including the 2,630-hectare Benham estate in West Berkshire and the Stainton estate in Lincolnshire.

“We are deeply saddened and devastated by the sudden death of Sir Richard Sutton, announced this morning," a statement from Sir Richard Sutton Ltd said.

“Sir Richard was a caring, generous and warm family man, who genuinely regarded those who worked for him as part of his extended family.

“Sir Richard was passionately devoted to both his company and its people, setting the highest standards for quality in the hotel, farming and property interests within the group.

“His loss will be felt by everyone within the company, those who worked with him, and his family who have lost an incredible individual.

“Our thoughts are with the Sutton family at this tragic time.”

Dorset Police appealed for anyone with information to contact officers.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died and the injured woman at this extremely difficult time and they are being supported by specially trained officers," said Det Insp Simon Huxter, who is leading the investigation.

“We will be carrying out a full investigation to establish exactly what happened at the address in Higher Langham, and I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area on the evening of April 7 to please contact us.

“A cordon is in place at the address and there will continue to be a heavy police presence in the vicinity as we carry out inquiries.

“Officers can be approached by members of the public with any information or concerns.”