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Mother had 'ligature' around neck | Mother had 'ligature' around neck |
(about 1 hour 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. |
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. | 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 going to visit a friend nearby. Police have said 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 search continues to be concentrated in the Church Hill area of the town, the West Mercia force said on Wednesday. | 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. | 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. |
Officers have been searching in Arrow Valley Country Park | |
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. |
Mr Hughes needs regular medication and cannot communicate at all, police said. | Mr Hughes needs regular medication and cannot communicate at all, police said. |
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. | 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. |
"In particular we are trying to find out when both were last seen - either separately or together. | "In particular we are trying to find out when both were last seen - either separately or together. |
"He (James) cannot communicate at all, or walk very far and has a hearing impairment. | "He (James) cannot communicate at all, or walk very far and has a hearing impairment. |
"He cannot feed himself or even communicate that he is hungry, and he does not usually respond to his own name. | "He cannot feed himself or even communicate that he is hungry, and he does not usually respond to his own name. |
"He needs medication for epilepsy, and without this he is likely to have very regular fits. | "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." | "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. |