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Woman, 90, murdered in her home Woman, 90, murdered in her home
(about 1 hour later)
Police say the death of a 90-year-old widow in her home in Swansea is being treated as murder.Police say the death of a 90-year-old widow in her home in Swansea is being treated as murder.
Avril Evans, of Grandison Street in Hafod, was found on Thursday night in her terraced house by members of her family.Avril Evans, of Grandison Street in Hafod, was found on Thursday night in her terraced house by members of her family.
The scene and a nearby lane have been sealed off and forensic tests are taking place. A post mortem examination will take place later on Friday.The scene and a nearby lane have been sealed off and forensic tests are taking place. A post mortem examination will take place later on Friday.
Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them.Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them.
Inspector Helen Summerfield, of South Wales Police, said they were treating the death as murder.Inspector Helen Summerfield, of South Wales Police, said they were treating the death as murder.
She said: "We don't know how she died yet, we are going to have to wait for the forensic and pathologist's reports."She said: "We don't know how she died yet, we are going to have to wait for the forensic and pathologist's reports."
'Very shocking'
Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen Mrs Evans at any point on Thursday, or anyone who saw something suspicious in the area during the day.Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen Mrs Evans at any point on Thursday, or anyone who saw something suspicious in the area during the day.
Forensic officers are at the scene
Neighbour Wendy Pridmore said: "I've lived here for 40 years and Mrs Evans has lived her much longer than that. She was very quiet, kept herself to herself and didn't have visitors apart from her family.Neighbour Wendy Pridmore said: "I've lived here for 40 years and Mrs Evans has lived her much longer than that. She was very quiet, kept herself to herself and didn't have visitors apart from her family.
"I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt her - she did no harm to anyone at all and for something like this to happen is horrendous." "I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt her - she did no harm to anyone at all and for something like this to happen is horrendous.
Mrs Pridmore, a mother-of-two, said when the police called on Thursday night they just said she had died and that it was not until the morning they found out more.
A side street has also been sealed off near the murder scene
"It's scary, it's a quiet street - my son plays football on the street with his friends, most people have lived here all their lives and know each other well.""It's scary, it's a quiet street - my son plays football on the street with his friends, most people have lived here all their lives and know each other well."
Another neighbour Norma Brookes said Mrs Evans had a son and two grandchildren who called regularly. Freda Duffy, 67, said: "She seems to have lived around here forever. Hearing about this is a total shock.
"She was a very quiet person, a bit of a loner. Just like me, she was living on her own," said Mrs Brookes. "Although she was 90 years old she still did all her own shopping and would often stop and speak to me if I saw her in the street. But generally she kept herself to herself.
'Terrible'
"I know her son Allan is devastated by what has happened, as anyone would be. He would visit his mother with her grandchildren at least once a week - often more. They were very close.
"He came and saw me last night and cried his heart out. This has devastated him, but there's just nothing you can say."
Another neighbour Norma Brookes added: "She was a very quiet person, a bit of a loner. Just like me, she was living on her own.
"It's just terrible, especially now just before Christmas.""It's just terrible, especially now just before Christmas."
She said Mrs Evans' late husband used to work at a nearby council depot.She said Mrs Evans' late husband used to work at a nearby council depot.
Mrs Brookes said police activity started on Thursday evening and they carried out door-to-door inquiries until the early hours of Friday.
Local councillor Robert Speht said the news was "very shocking".Local councillor Robert Speht said the news was "very shocking".
"My heart goes out to all the family of Mrs Evans. Hafod is a very close-knit community - this will send shockwaves throughout the community," he said."My heart goes out to all the family of Mrs Evans. Hafod is a very close-knit community - this will send shockwaves throughout the community," he said.
"It's obviously very early days and I would urge anybody who knows anything in Hafod to come forward and phone the police."
Anyone with information is asked to call 01656 655555 and ask for the incident room at Cockett police station or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.Anyone with information is asked to call 01656 655555 and ask for the incident room at Cockett police station or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.