Murdered widow, 85, was strangled

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An elderly widow whose bungalow was set alight had been strangled to death, police have revealed.

Patricia Thompson, 85, was found dead in her bed when firefighters were called to Emma Simpson Court, Stockton, Teesside, late on Saturday.

Detectives said they were following a number of leads but the motive was still unclear.

Meanwhile, her family have spoken of their distress at the grandmother-of-six's "shocking and violent" death.

'Cover his tracks'

Daughter Ann Szary, speaking at a press conference, said: "She was frail and vulnerable and the thought of her frightened, defenceless and alone in her last moments is the most difficult part.

Det Supt Gordon Lang said the fire damage had slowed down the inquiry

"This has distressed all our family and our children have suffered the loss of a gentle and loving grandmother in such a terribly shocking and violent way."

Det Supt Gordon Lang, of Cleveland Police, said two fires, one in the bedroom and one in the lounge, had been started within the bungalow after the pensioner had been killed.

He said: "The motive as to why someone was in there, I wouldn't speculate but without a doubt this person, this evil person is trying to cover their tracks."

Police are yet to establish if anything had been taken from the widow's home in Hartburn.