Two arrested on suspicion of murder after death of 90-year-old woman on the Wirral

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a 90-year-old woman. Credit: ITV Granada Reports

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a 90-year-old former physicist.

The North West Ambulance service found the body of 90-year-old Myra Thompson at her home in Spital on the Wirral on Tuesday 23rd April.

Merseyside Police have launched an investigation into her death, and are continuing to patrol Spital offering reassurance to residents.

A 48-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman, both from the Wirral, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday 24 April.

Forensic teams were called to the scene.

They are currently in custody where they will be questioned by detectives.

Close neighbours of Myra Thompson, Valerie Morgan, 80 and Elfed Morgan, 81 described her as a "well respected member of the community".Valerie said: "She was a very nice person, she was quiet and kept herself to herself. She wasn't out and about very much but the chap next door took her shopping often."

Myra was a senior physicist at Clatterbridge Hospital before she retired. Her neighbour recalled how she used to "walk to the hospital every morning".

One neighbour referred to her as a "career woman" and "intellectually superior" to anyone else who lived in the area.Elfed and Valerie moved into their Spital home 50 years ago and they had known Myra for as long as they can remember.

Myra had lived in the area for a long time and was known as a "character" by her friends.

Forensic teams were called to the scene.

Valerie said: "Myra was married but her husband, Charlie, died some years ago. He was a naval officer and was involved in a crash that left him disabled and she looked after him."Elfed recalled how she "always had a smile on her face, no matter what."

The tragic events have hit the community hard and he said he always pictured her as a "fit, little lady who loved to walk her dog", though he said she had started to look "frail'' recently.Other neighbours shared anecdotes of Myra with one woman telling how Myra's husband Charlie had bought a blue Jaguar which Myra "hated riding in because she felt like a bookmakers wife" and "too flash".

Officers are patrolling the area and speaking to locals. Credit: Merseyside Police

The neighbour said this showed how kind she was as she eventually gave the car to her neighbour when her husband died.She added: "You can't say anything negative about Myra. I think she merits some nice words to be spoken about her."

Myra Thompson's family have been made aware of her death, and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Before her death, Merseyside Police were in the process of investigating an allegation of theft made by Ms Thompson.

The matter has since been referred by Merseyside Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as Merseyside Police.

Myra Thompson died in her home on Bolde Way in Spital Credit: Merseyside Police

House-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are in the process of being carried out. Members of the public are being encouraged to come forward with any information.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker said: “Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the woman’s family and friends at this very sad time.

“This is clearly a very shocking and distressing incident and we are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry to establish what has taken place.

“I know that people, particularly those living locally, will be understandably concerned and even frightened when they hear what has happened but I want them to feel reassured that we are doing everything we can to find who is responsible and bring them to justice. I would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to our officers in the local area.

“Although two arrests have been made, we are still in the very early stages of our enquiries and I would ask people to avoid speculating about what has happened.

“As always the public’s help is vital and I would ask anyone who was lives or was driving near Bolde Way and saw or heard anything yesterday morning or thinks they have captured anything significant on their CCTV or doorbell camera to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“I would also encourage anyone who has any other information which they believe could assist with our investigation to get in touch as this could be vital to our enquiries.”

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