Pensioner, 84, found dead in her own home ‘had not been seen since Christmas’: Man, 80, arrested on suspicion of murder

It was revealed that the 84-year-old woman, who was murdered in her own home in a quiet village, rarely left the house and had not been seen by her neighbors since Christmas.

The seriously injured 80-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to the detached house at 15:00 on Tuesday.

The injured, who was said to be in life-threatening condition, was taken into custody and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Neighbors said the woman, named locally as Rita Rowley, had lived at the property on Prees Higher Heath, near Whitchurch in north Shropshire, for more than 40 years.

She lived with her husband, and later with her partner of nearly 15 years, until his death in a car accident several years ago.

The pensioner was previously one of four trustees at the Age UK day center but had not volunteered for more than 18 months after being diagnosed with dementia, according to trustee David Hack.

He described Ms Rowley, who is Maltese, as a ‘very caring’ person who ‘liked a joke’.

He said: ‘We had both worked at the day center for about 12 years.

‘But he hadn’t attended for at least 18 months because his dementia had restricted his participation and we hadn’t chatted for a long time.

Police were called to the house around 15:00 yesterday afternoon due to concerns about security reports.

‘Even though he was profoundly deaf, he lived at the center with a man who helped.

‘Sometimes he would give people a ride when the minibus wasn’t available.’

He said Rita still had family in Malta.

“She was very caring and would do anything for anyone, and I think that’s why she started working at the day care,” Mr. Hack, 81, added.

‘He also liked to joke and we got along well.

‘He was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and needed chemotherapy but as far as I know he managed to beat it.’

Ms Rowley’s husband Wilfred died in 2002.

The couple married in Sliema, Malta, in 1962. Mr Rowley is thought to have been serving in the British Army at the time and was stationed on the island.

The couple had a son and a daughter.

A man who said he worked with Miss Rowley years ago said: ‘I knew her when she was working as a machinist in a clothing company.

‘I knew him in passing, he used to bring me the cuttings from his garden.

‘She was a very nice woman, very quiet.’

The man, who asked not to be named, said he thought Mrs Rowley’s late husband was a television cameraman.

Mrs Rowley’s neighbour, John Campbell, 84, said: ‘I hardly saw her.

‘I know he had two children but they were a little older than my children.

‘She seemed more social years ago and I have no idea about the gentleman she lived with.

‘Her husband died in a car accident some time ago.’

Another neighbor, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I used to see the man he lived with going up and down in his car but I have no idea how long he had lived there.

‘I didn’t know much about him.’

The couple were last seen before Christmas, dealing cards in the quiet cul-de-sac of Woodlands Grove, where property prices average around £365,000.

A woman who lives a few doors away said: ‘I’ve been here since March last year but I’ve only ever seen him (the partner) get in his car and then come back.

‘That’s all I see of him. ‘I’ve been here 12 months and I’ve only seen it, I didn’t even know a woman lived there.’

Another neighbor, who has lived on the street for 27 years, said the couple was quiet and rarely seen.

He said: ‘They kept themselves to themselves too much.

‘They are not married, but they have been together for 15-odd years. Her name is Rita, I don’t know her name.

‘I only spoke to them in passing. I saw him handing out cards before Christmas. Both were sending postcards; They looked good.’

Another neighbor, who recently moved to the area, said: ‘I’ve seen him on the road a few times in the last two months.

‘I’ve never seen him. It’s a quiet street and a friendly area, you just don’t see anyone.’

Someone who lived down the road said: ‘I knew the woman but didn’t know her personally.

‘We all keep ourselves to ourselves here. I’ve lived here for 30 years, he’s lived here longer.

A seriously injured 80-year-old man was arrested and treated in hospital

‘I don’t know who the guy (his partner) was, he used to drive up and down in his car but he wouldn’t admit it or talk to anyone.

‘I never even said hello to the man, I just saw him going up and down often.

‘Her husband died in a car accident many years ago.

‘Occasionally Rita would be in the car with him or say hello as he passed by.

‘Last time I saw them, they were walking through here wrapped up around Christmas. He looked at me and smiled and I said hello.

‘There are a lot of retired people here, I haven’t seen him friendly with anyone here.’

Forensic teams searched the house this morning and were under constant police surveillance yesterday afternoon.

West Mercia Police were called to the scene at around 3.05pm following concerns about the security report.

A spokesman said: ‘An 84-year-old woman was found unresponsive at the property and was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.’

Police said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that the woman’s next of kin had been notified but formal identification had not yet been made.

The 80-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, continued to receive treatment in the hospital.

Detective Inspector Joanne Delahay said: ‘Yesterday’s incident is an extremely saddening one and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those involved in the tragic incident.’

‘The condition of the man arrested in connection with the woman’s death is serious.

‘Investigations are ongoing and residents should not be concerned about seeing officers in the area or at the scene.’

Prees Higher Heath is a small rural village with a population of around 500 people and is well known among walkers for its natural surroundings.

The village also has II. There are several historic landmarks, including the grade-listed 14th-century St Mary’s Church.