Man, 33, arrested on suspicion of murder after OAP, 86, found dead at home & husband critical in ‘burglary’
DETECTIVES today arrested a man on suspicion of murder after a pensioner was found dead in her own home in a “burglary” .
The 33-year-old is now being quizzed after Freda Walker, 86, was found dead at her home of 50 years while her husband Kenneth, 88, remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Officers have now arrested the man on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the violent incident in Langwith Junction, Derbys on Saturday morning.
He was arrested in Warsop, Nottinghamshire, five days after the brutal attack and currently remains in police custody.
Derbyshire Police previously said that they were keeping an “open mind” about whether the “appaling crime” was linked to a violent burglary in Trowell, Notts – just 40 minutes away.
An elderly woman suffered a broken jaw and severe swelling to her arm after being attacked by the suspect who demanded money from them on January 6 just after midnight.
Detectives are also looking at a number of similar incidents which have taken place in the “months, years or weeks” leading up to the suspected burglary.
Officers are still appealing for anyone with information or dashcam and CCTV footage to come forwards in relation to the murder investigation.
Most read in The Sun
Kenneth, a retired miner and former chairman of Bolsover District Council, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Kirby, of Derbyshire Police, branded the murder “an act of horrendous cowardice”.
ACC Kirby said: “Today’s arrest is clearly a significant breakthrough in the case but the investigation continues into this most appalling crime.
“Yesterday we appealed for people who were on Station Road between 4.30pm on Friday 14 and 9am Saturday 15 to come forward as a matter of urgency.
“That request still remains – so if you were on that street, either on foot or in a car, then please contact us as soon as possible.
“One of the leading lines of inquiry is that it may have been a burglary, and that remains a leading line of inquiry.
“The man was arrested in the early hours and, as you would expect, there will be interviews and so on, and if we can give any more information about motive then we will do – but at this time we can’t be conclusive.
“We can’t rule out the involvement of anybody else, but at the moment we are focusing our inquiries on this particular man we’ve arrested.
“As soon as we can update, particularly if the community are worried about any potential further risk to them about whether there might be somebody else, then we will give that update.”
‘DEVOTED TO EACH OTHER’
Anyone who may be able to help detectives with their enquiries is asked to contact Derbyshire police using any of the below methods, including reference 240-150122.
The couple have been described as “lovely people” who were “well known” in the local area.
Kenneth, a retired mining safety inspector, had celebrated his 88th birthday the week prior to the brutal assault.
Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher has paid tribute to the former Bolsover mayor and his wife, saying his “thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time”.
Tributes have flooded in from heartbroken neighbours in the “tight-knit” community.
Flowers have already been placed outside the couple’s home, with one touching note reading: “To a lovely lady who would help anyone she could.”
One local resident said: “Ken and Freda were devoted to each other. This has shocked everyone who knew them.”
