Body of disabled man "found in back garden"

Apr 24 2008

DETECTIVES were today quizzing two men as they attempted to unravel the mystery surrounding the deaths of Heather Wardle and her disabled son James Hughes.

The two men were detained yesterday on suspicion of murder after the body of 22-year-old James – who had the mental age of a toddler – was found at a house in Redditch.

Police last night sealed off an area surrounding the family home in Loxley Close and a tent was erected outside the property. Reports today suggested that the body of James had been buried in the back garden.

Neighbours said they had not seen James, an epileptic, for around two weeks.

They added that a bus that used to collect James each morning had stopped calling and it was reported that Heather had asked social services to stop providing help for him.

The development came just hours after it was revealed that Heather, aged 39, was found slumped in woodland at the base of a tree with a ligature around her neck.

Her body was discovered less than a mile from the family home where she lived with her sons, James, 17-year-old Daniel, Callum, aged eight, and six-year-old Luke – and partner Brian Kirby, aged 36.

Detectives were today understood to be trying to establish whether Heather hanged herself knowing her disabled son was already dead or if she was murdered and her body dumped.

Among the theories police are investigating is whether she was involved in a mercy killing of the son she adored and cared for round-the-clock, or that others were responsible for his death and his mum could not live with the fact.

Both were reported missing last Saturday but police now need to establish who died first.

Residents living close to the family home insisted they had not seen epileptic James for around two weeks.

Francis Stewart said: “I used to see him being put in a special needs van every morning. But that hasn’t happened for a while. I haven’t seen him for at least two weeks. I thought it was unusual.”

Linda Parkes said Heather had asked social services to stop providing help to her son weeks before his disappearance.

Meanwhile, Derek Matthews, aged 61, of Loxley Close, said: “I used to see them all the time as a family and they appeared to be happy despite James’s disability."

Police have not confirmed the ages of the two men arrested. They are helping police with their inquiries at Kidderminster and Redditch police stations.

Hours before the arrests, James’ stepfather Mr Kirby released a statement through police describing his heartbreak.

He said: “It’s heartbreaking. It’s very hard to accept and take in. That wasn’t the Heather I knew. It’s hurting me and the kids are also heartbroken and desperately missing her.”