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Mother had 'ligature' around neck Mother had 'ligature' around neck
(20 minutes later)
A mother who went missing along with her disabled son was found with a ligature around her neck, police said.A mother who went missing along with her disabled son was found with a ligature around her neck, police said.
Heather Wardle, 39, of Redditch, Worcestershire went missing with her son, James Hughes, on Friday evening. Heather Wardle, 39, of Redditch, Worcestershire, went missing with her son, James Hughes, on Friday evening.
Mr Hughes, who is 22 but has the mental age of an 18-month-old, is "extremely vulnerable", police said. Officers are still searching for Mr Hughes. A search is continuing for the "extremely vulnerable" Mr Hughes, who is 22 but has the mental age of an 18-month-old, police said.
The body of mother-of-four Mrs Wardle was found in undergrowth off Winyates Way in the Church Hill area on Monday.The body of mother-of-four Mrs Wardle was found in undergrowth off Winyates Way in the Church Hill area on Monday.
It is believed her body was found less than a mile from where she lived with her son.It is believed her body was found less than a mile from where she lived with her son.
Police have said the death was being treated as unexplained.Police have said the death was being treated as unexplained.
A post-mortem examination took place on Tuesday and while the results of toxicology tests are awaited, police have confirmed the mother was found with a ligature around her neck at the base of a tree.A post-mortem examination took place on Tuesday and while the results of toxicology tests are awaited, police have confirmed the mother was found with a ligature around her neck at the base of a tree.
'Tends to stumble''Tends to stumble'
Mrs Wardle left home on Friday, saying she was walking to a friend's house nearby. Police say it is not clear when Mr Hughes was last seen. Mrs Wardle left home on Friday, saying she was going to visit a friend nearby. Police have said it is not clear when Mr Hughes was last seen.
The focus of the inquiry is finding Mr Hughes, who is unable to fend for himself, police said. The search continues to be concentrated in the Church Hill area of the town, the West Mercia force said on Wednesday.
It is still scouring the area where the body was found and near to the family's home with the police helicopter being involved in the search.
Mr Hughes needs constant care, police officers have saidMr Hughes needs constant care, police officers have said
Supt Jane Horwood, of West Mercia Police, said Mr Hughes had epilepsy and other health needs.Supt Jane Horwood, of West Mercia Police, said Mr Hughes had epilepsy and other health needs.
She said there were currently 40 to 50 officers working on the investigation, and the searches for Mr Hughes were being confined to the Redditch area. Mr Hughes needs regular medication and cannot communicate at all, police said.
Supt Horwood said: "James has not been found and, obviously, in the light of the discovery of what we believe to be his mother's body, we are very concerned for his well-being." Supt Jane Horwood said: "We are still speaking to the family, as well as to friends, associates and neighbours to build up a picture of the family's lifestyle and establish the recent movements.
She added that Mr Hughes "needed his most basic needs met and cannot fend for himself". "In particular we are trying to find out when both were last seen - either separately or together.
"At the moment we have no idea where he is and, while we are keeping an open mind, obviously we are very concerned." "He (James) cannot communicate at all, or walk very far and has a hearing impairment.
Mr Hughes needs regular medication and "round-the-clock" care, police said. "He cannot feed himself or even communicate that he is hungry, and he does not usually respond to his own name.
He is capable of walking short distances but "tends to stumble" so uses a wheelchair. "He needs medication for epilepsy, and without this he is likely to have very regular fits.
"In short he is very disabled, requiring round the clock care, and we remain extremely concerned for his safety."
Mr Hughes is described as white, 5ft 4in tall, thin, with short mousy hair and looks younger than his age.Mr Hughes is described as white, 5ft 4in tall, thin, with short mousy hair and looks younger than his age.