22/04/2008

Body Found In Missing Mother And Son Case

Police have found a woman’s body as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of a mother and her disabled son.

39-year-old Heather Wardle and James, 22, from Worcestershire went missing last Friday after she said she was going to a friend’s house in Redditch.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman says that the body found in undergrowth near Winyates Way, is yet to be identified.

James whose birthday was on Sunday has the mental age of an 18-month-old, suffers from epilepsy and needs constant care.

Detective Inspector John Marsden said in an appeal to the mother on Sunday that "caring for a person with James’ complex problems can be overwhelming," and that it was "entirely understandable that the day-to-day challenges of looking after James may have got on top of you".

He added that he promised that she would get more help to care for her son if she contacted the police.

A press conference will be held today and will be headed by Superintendent Jane Horwood.

Superintendent Horwood said in a statement that James "needs his most basic needs taking care of and cannot fend for himself".

Police have been searching Arrow Valley Country Park overnight.

(DS)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 September 2008
Police Officer Charged With Teen Death
A police officer is to be charged with causing the death of Hayley Adamson, 16, in May this year. Hayley was killed instantly after she was struck by a Northumbria Police car on Denton Road, Newcastle. PC John James Dougal, who was driving the vehicle, will face a dangerous driving charge.
29 March 2012
Teen Given Two Life Sentences For Murder Of British Tourists In Florida
An American teenager has been given a life sentence for the murder of two British tourists while in Florida. 25-year-old James Cooper and 24-year-old James Kouzaris, friends from university in Sheffield, were shot and killed in Sarasota, Florida, after drunkenly wandering into the Newtown area in the early hours of 16 April 2011.
24 April 2008
Police Quiz Two Men Over Double Deaths
Police investigating the deaths of a mother and son are questioning two men. Heather Wardle, 39, and her disabled son James Hughes, 22, went missing last Friday after she said she was walking to a friend's house in Redditch. Ms Wardle's body was found with a ligature around her neck in woodland on Tuesday.
23 April 2008
Lost Boy Search Continues
Police are continuing to search for the disabled son of a woman who was found dead in woodland yesterday. Heather Wardle, 39, went missing with her son James, 22, on Friday after she said she was walking to a friend's house in Redditch. Police say that Ms Wardle's body was found with a ligature around her neck.
04 November 2005
Deepcut investigation criticised in new report
The Surrey Police investigation into the deaths of recruits at the Deepcut army barracks has been criticised by another police force. Devon and Cornwall Police’s report into the deaths for four recruits at the barracks concluded that Surrey Police narrowed the focus of the inquiry by concentrating too much on suicide as the most likely outcome.