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Mother had 'ligature' around neck | Mother had 'ligature' around neck |
(about 2 hours 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, and her son, James Hughes, both went missing on Friday. | Heather Wardle, 39, of Redditch, Worcestershire, and her son, James Hughes, both went missing on Friday. |
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. |
Ms Wardle, whose body was found in the town on Monday, was a "brilliant mother", her partner Brian Kirby said. | |
The mother-of-four's body was discovered in undergrowth off Winyates Way in the Church Hill area, 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' |
Mr Kirby, 36, got together with Ms Wardle after she moved next door to his sister nearly 16 years ago. | |
They moved in together and were engaged within a year but never married. | |
He described her as a chatty, bubbly person, who got on well with neighbours and his family, and although they had had problems in recent months, were still on very close terms. | |
"Her priorities were the family and the house," he said. | |
Heather Wardle's body was found in undergrowth | |
"It's very hard to accept and take in. That wasn't the Heather I know. It's hurting me and the kids are also heartbroken and desperately missing her." | |
Ms 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. |
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. |
'Needs medication' | |
He 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. |