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Mother's body found in woodland Mother's body found in woodland
(about 2 hours later)
A body found in woodland is that of a missing mother who disappeared with her vulnerable son, police have confirmed.A body found in woodland is that of a missing mother who disappeared with her vulnerable son, police have confirmed.
Heather Wardle, 39, of Redditch, Worcestershire, went missing with James Hughes on Friday evening.Heather Wardle, 39, of Redditch, Worcestershire, went missing with James Hughes on Friday evening.
Her son is 22 but has the mental age of an 18-month-old. Police said he was still unaccounted for.Her son is 22 but has the mental age of an 18-month-old. Police said he was still unaccounted for.
West Mercia Police found Ms Wardle's body in undergrowth near Winyates Way in the Church Hill area of the town on Monday evening.West Mercia Police found Ms Wardle's body in undergrowth near Winyates Way in the Church Hill area of the town on Monday evening.
They said the death was being treated as unexplained.They said the death was being treated as unexplained.
'Very concerned''Very concerned'
Supt Jane Horwood, of West Mercia Police, said James had epilepsy and other health needs and often used a wheelchair.Supt Jane Horwood, of West Mercia Police, said James had epilepsy and other health needs and often used a wheelchair.
She said there were currently 40 to 50 officers working on the investigation, and the searches for James were being confined to the Redditch area.She said there were currently 40 to 50 officers working on the investigation, and the searches for James were being confined to the Redditch area.
Supt Jane Horwood of West Mercia Police
Supt Horwood added that officers were "very concerned for his well-being", adding: "He needs his most basic needs taking care of and cannot fend for himself.Supt Horwood added that officers were "very concerned for his well-being", adding: "He needs his most basic needs taking care of and cannot fend for himself.
"We are therefore trying to find out more about both Heather and James's movements over the last few months."We are therefore trying to find out more about both Heather and James's movements over the last few months.
"We are trying to put together a picture of their lives and we want to hear from anyone who knew either of them.""We are trying to put together a picture of their lives and we want to hear from anyone who knew either of them."
She said while police had established that Ms Wardle was last seen at about 1800 BST on Friday, it was not known when James was last seen.She said while police had established that Ms Wardle was last seen at about 1800 BST on Friday, it was not known when James was last seen.
'Under pressure''Under pressure'
James is described as white, 5ft 4in tall, thin, with short mousy hair and looks younger than his age.James is described as white, 5ft 4in tall, thin, with short mousy hair and looks younger than his age.
Officers had been searching Arrow Valley Country Park in the town for the pair overnight.Officers had been searching Arrow Valley Country Park in the town for the pair overnight.
Police had appealed to Ms Wardle to get in touch, saying her partner, Brian Kirby, and her other three children were very worried.Police had appealed to Ms Wardle to get in touch, saying her partner, Brian Kirby, and her other three children were very worried.
A post-mortem examination has been carried out on Ms Wardle and officers are waiting for the results.A post-mortem examination has been carried out on Ms Wardle and officers are waiting for the results.
We can only imagine what tremendous strain Heather was under Det Supt Jane HorwoodWe can only imagine what tremendous strain Heather was under Det Supt Jane Horwood
Mr Kirby had been due to make a public appeal on Tuesday for her to get in touch, but the press conference was postponed in the light of "developments" overnight, police said.Mr Kirby had been due to make a public appeal on Tuesday for her to get in touch, but the press conference was postponed in the light of "developments" overnight, police said.
Ms Wardle was said by police to have been "under pressure".Ms Wardle was said by police to have been "under pressure".
Det Supt Horwood added: "Heather was James's main carer and her family tell us she was a fantastic mother.Det Supt Horwood added: "Heather was James's main carer and her family tell us she was a fantastic mother.
"However, looking after another person - however much that person is loved - round the clock inevitably takes its toll and we can only imagine what tremendous strain Heather was under.""However, looking after another person - however much that person is loved - round the clock inevitably takes its toll and we can only imagine what tremendous strain Heather was under."
She had not taken her handbag or mobile telephone with her.She had not taken her handbag or mobile telephone with her.
Officers said the pair had not gone missing before and their disappearance was totally out of character.Officers said the pair had not gone missing before and their disappearance was totally out of character.