Murder inquiry launched after elderly woman found dead at her cottage in Worcestershire

  • Detectives probe possible burglary gone wrong

By
Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 8:40 PM on 5th January 2012

Police have launched a murder investigation after the body on an elderly woman was found at a cottage in a picturesque town in Worcestershire.

The woman, in her 70s, was discovered at the property on the outskirts of Bewdley and detectives are looking into whether she had been the victim of a burglary gone wrong.

Officers cordoned off the scene yesterday morning along a track between Dowles Road and the River Severn.

Horror: Police at the scene in Bewdley, Worcestershire, where police have launched a murder probe after the discovery of an elderly woman's body at her cottage

Horror: Police at the scene in Bewdley, Worcestershire, where police have launched a murder probe after the discovery of an elderly woman’s body at her cottage

The alarm was raised shortly after 9am by a friend of the woman who had been unable to contact her and became concerned for her welfare. Her body was found downstairs in the property.

Officers are in close contact with the woman’s next of kin, but the woman has not yet been formally identified as some relatives have yet to be informed.

The coroner for Worcestershire, Geraint Williams, has been informed and a post mortem is expected to take place later today.

West Mercia Police have set up an incident room at Stourport Police Station, where more than 40 officers and staff are currently involved.

Isolated: The house lies down a track between Dowles Road and the River Severn that is popular with anglers, dog-walkers and cyclists

Isolated: The house lies down a track between Dowles Road and the River Severn that is popular with anglers, dog-walkers and cyclists

There is a heavy police presence in the area and officers are studying CCTV footage as well as carrying out door-to-door inquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Love, of West Mercia Police, said today: ‘An elderly woman has lost her life in the most tragic circumstances and it is vital that anyone who has information that could help our inquiries comes forward immediately.

‘The cottage is in an isolated spot which is understood to be popular with anglers, dog walkers, ramblers and off-road cyclists.

‘We urgently need to speak to anyone who was in that area between lunchtime on Monday and around 9am yesterday and may have noticed anything suspicious, including any vehicles that might have been there in unusual circumstances.

‘The slightest detail could be important to our investigation so if you know anything at all then please get in touch.’

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