Wheelchair clue in son death probe

Apr 28 2008 By Crystal Deane

POLICE investigating the deaths of a severely disabled man and his mother were today trying to trace a person seen pushing an empty wheelchair.

The body of James Hughes, aged 22, was found in a suitcase at his home in Loxley Close Redditch, last Wednesday. His mother Heather Wardle, aged 39, was found dead in nearby woodland two days earlier.

A young man, accompanied by a woman aged about 19 was seen pushing a chair near Arrow Valley Lake between 3.30pm and 3.45pm last Monday, and West Mercia Police said they wanted to eliminate him from their inquiries.

Supt Jane Horwood said: "We are continuing to follow up recent sightings of both James and Heather by family, friends and neighbours to establish when they were last seen."

Mr Hughes, who had a mental age of just 18 months, and his mother were reported missing on Saturday, April 19. Police said his body was in a "decomposed condition" when it was found on Wednesday in suitcase hidden among other items in the garden of the family home. A post-mortem examination was inconclusive.

Mr Hughes' stepfather, Brian Kirby, and a youth were freed without charge after being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Supt Horwood added: "The community has been shocked at the events of the last week but we would urge that the family is now left alone to grieve in peace."