"Shocked" neighbours were met with police outside their doors after a woman was found dead in a block of flats.
The woman was found dead inside her flat on Douglas House, a high-rise in Wigan, after police were called to reports for concern for the safety of a woman. on Monday, October 30. Officers then arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of murder.
Detectives reported their initial enquiries, suggest that on Sunday, October 29 the victim attended the Dog and Partridge pub, in Wallgate, and had some drinks. She left alone to walk 10 minutes home and returned home just after 11pm.
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Yesterday, on Tuesday, October 31, the surrounding area of the flats were taped off with residents saying a bike storage unit was also cordoned off inside the complex, the MEN reports. An officer was also situated in the foyer of the building for reassurance as enquiries inside the flat continued.
Neighbours of the woman, who has not yet been named and whose age has not been disclosed, said how her death had left them stunned. One resident, who did not want to be named, said he saw police in his hallway when he returned home from a night out at around half past midnight.
He said: "There was a policewoman, she just said there had been an incident and asked if I’d seen or heard anything. Which I told her I hadn’t.
"Then this morning there was a policeman in the foyer and he asked me again if I had seen or heard anything and I told him the same. I have heard what’s happened and I am just really shocked.
"If it’s the woman I’ve been told it is then I only knew her to say hello to. I probably only saw her twice this year. But she was nice. It’s just a big shock."
Another man who lives in the building said: "This morning when I looked out of my curtains I saw two police cars here. And the bike shed was taped off. I thought ‘something serious must have happened.’
"Then just before we went out we saw another police officer going to her car to get more tape. We had no idea what had happened. But when we heard before it was of course a big shock. It's awful."
Another said: "At about 1pm this afternoon, a police officer knocked on our door and asked if we'd seen or heard anything, as my partner lives above the victim.
"They said they were investigating an incident. I asked if it was serious and he said 'yes, very serious.' He never said it was a murder or anything like that, we heard that later on. I didn't know the lady.
"I have probably bumped into her and said hello I would guess. We're all just very shocked. You just don't expect it. Especially when its happened literally 20ft away from you."
A woman said: "I didn't see or hear anything but it's shocking, absolutely shocking. For someone to lose their life like that in your building. It's very concerning. I don't feel safe going out round here as it is without things like this happening so close. It's just so sad."
There was a police car parked outside the Dog and Partridge pub, which remained closed on Tuesday afternoon. Detectives have appealed for anyone who was in the pub on Sunday night or anyone who lives in or has been around Douglas House between then and Monday morning, to urgently get in touch with them.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Davis, of GMP’s Major Investigation Team, said: “This is a terribly sad murder of a woman in her own home and even though a male has been arrested, this investigation is still in it’s early stages.
“This investigation is led by a dedicated MIT team of detectives. Numerous scenes remain in place as officers investigate the circumstances behind this tragic incident.
“I wish to appeal for witnesses around Douglas House – particularly from 11pm on Sunday 29 October up to 8pm on Monday 30 October and also in the Dog and Partridge pub, Wallgate, Wigan, particularly during the evening of Sunday 29 October and all day on Monday 30 October.
“I would like to appeal to anyone with any information no matter how small to come forward – using Crimestoppers anonymously on 101, quoting the log number 3441-201023 or MIT on 016185 66377.”
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