Neighbours were in shock this weekend as police launched a murder investigation into the death of an elderly woman in her Kirkby home.
Merseyside Police were called to Denver Road in Westvale, Kirkby, at around 11.30pm on Friday after receiving reports a woman in her 70s had been found unresponsive inside a property.
Paramedics attended but the victim had died at the scene. Merseyside Police said the woman’s next of kin has been informed and a post-mortem will take place to establish the cause of death. The force said a 78-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has now been detained under the Mental Health Act.
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An investigation has been launched and a cordon is in place while extensive forensic examinations are carried out.
One woman, a friend of the couple who did not want to be identified, told the ECHO: “We used to do the knitting together. We were close friends.
“We were all in bed [at the time it happened]. We didn’t find out until the next day. We went to my daughter’s about 10am. We didn’t think it was anything as bad as it was. I’ve been here over 30 years. We watched the children grow up together.”
Others living on the street were alerted to the incident when a they saw and heard police cars arrive at around 11pm. One woman living opposite the house in question said she arrived home from work late on Friday night to find the police presence.
She said there have been a “constant police presence” since Friday evening and said there have been “police cars coming and going all weekend.”
Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cox said: “Our thoughts are with the woman’s family during this tragic time and specialist officers are currently supporting them. An investigation is underway as we try to establish what has happened.
“Although we have made an arrest, we are still carrying out forensic examinations at the scene and will continue to review any CCTV footage in the area. If you have any information about this incident, then please get in touch with us so we can continue our enquiries.”
Anyone who has any information on this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with the reference 23001154197.
You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or send information via their online form here.
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
