Inquest opens on Redditch disabled man found in suitcase

Dec 15 2008 by Rebekah Oruye, Birmingham Mail

THE father of a disabled man whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase today remembered him as an “inquisitive youngster”.

Paul Hughes spoke of his son James Hughes as an inquest into the death of the 22-year-old and his mother Heather Wardle, aged 39, began in Stourport-on-Severn.

James, from Loxley Close, Redditch, had epilepsy and the mental age of a toddler. He was reported missing along with Mrs Wardle in April.

A few days later, her body was found with a ligature around her neck in woodland near their home.

And after a police hunt, James’ body was found in a suitcase in the family’s back garden.

James’ biological father Paul Hughes described his son as an “inquisitive “ youngster.

“You wouldn’t think he had a disability at first,” he said.