Mother death a puzzle

Jul 31 2008 By Paul Bradley

DETECTIVES probing a mother’s mysterious death revealed today they had concluded forensic investigations on her.

Heather Wardle, aged 39, and her 22-year-old son, James Hughes, went missing in April. She was later found slumped in woodland with a ligature around her neck, close to her terraced house in Loxley Close, Redditch.

A few days her son’s body was found in a suitcase in her back garden.

Today, senior detectives confirmed that Mrs Wardle’s body had been released in order for her relatives to hold a funeral.

They also revealed that Mr Hughes’ body was still being examined by experts, and both deaths were still “unexplained”.

Det Chief Insp Jon Groves, of West Mercia Police, who is leading the investigation, said: “Heather Wardle’s body has been released as it is only right for the dignity of the family for this to happen as soon as possible.

“James’s body is still being examined and a major investigation involving a dedicated team is still ongoing.”

James’s stepfather, Brian Kirby, aged 36, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder along with an unnamed youth, but both were later released without charge.