An 84-year-old woman murdered in her own home in a sleepy village rarely left the house and had not been seen by neighbours since Christmas, it has emerged.
A seriously injured 80-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of her murder after police were called to the detached house at 3pm on Tuesday.
He was taken to hospital after being detained for treatment of his injuries, which were said to be potentially life-threatening.
Neighbours said the woman, named locally as Rita Rowley, had lived in the property at in Prees Higher Heath, near Whitchurch in north Shropshire for more than 40 years.
She lived with her husband until he died in a car crash some years ago, and later with a partner of around 15 years.
The pensioner was formerly one of four trustees at an Age UK day centre but had not volunteered for more than 18-months after being diagnosed with dementia, according to fellow trustee David Hack.
He described Mrs Rowley, who was Maltese, as a ‘very caring’ person who ‘liked a joke’.
He said: ‘We were both involved in the day centre for about 12 years.
‘But she’d not attended for at least 18 months because her dementia limited her involvement and we’d not chatted for a long time.
A forensics team visited the house on Woodlands Grove in Prees Higher Heath, Whitchurch, on Wednesday morning
Police were called to the house at around 3pm yesterday afternoon after receiving concern for safety reports
‘She lived with a man who also used to help out at the centre, even though he was extremely deaf.
‘He’d sometimes give people lifts in his car if the minibus wasn’t available.’
He said that Rita still had family in Malta.
‘She was very caring and would do anything for anybody and I think that’s why she became involved in the day centre,’ Mr Hack, 81, added.
‘She also liked a joke and we got on well.
‘A few years back, she was diagnosed with cancer and needed chemotherapy – but she managed to beat it as far as I know.’
Mrs Rowley’s husband, Wilfred, died in 2002.
The couple married in 1962 in Sliema, Malta. It is thought Mr Rowley was serving in the British Army and stationed on the island at the time.
The couple went on to have a son and a daughter.
A man who said he used to work with Mrs Rowley many years ago said: ‘I knew her when she worked as a machinist when I worked for a clothing company.
‘I knew her in passing, she used to bring me cuttings around from her garden.
‘She was a lovely lady, quite quiet.’
The man, who did not wish to be named, said he thought Mrs Rowley’s late husband was a TV cameraman.
Mrs Rowley’s neighbour John Campbell, 84, said: ‘I hardly ever saw her.
‘I know she had two children, but they were a little older than my children.
‘She seemed to be more sociable years ago and I have no idea about the gentleman she was living with.
‘Her husband died in a car crash some time ago.’
Another neighbour, who didn’t wish to be named, said: ‘I used to see the man she lived with driving up and down but I’ve no idea how long he’s been living there.
‘I didn’t know much about him.’
The couple were last spotted before Christmas delivering cards around the quiet cul-de-sac of Woodlands Grove, where property prices average about £365,000.
One woman who lives a few doors away down 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 in.
‘That’s all I’ve seen of him. I’ve been here 12 months and I’ve only ever seen him, I didn’t even know there was a woman living there.’
Another neighbour, who has lived on the street for 27 years, said the couple were quiet and rarely seen.
She said: ‘They kept themselves to themselves, so much.
‘They’re not married, but they’ve been together for 15 odd years. Rita is her name, I don’t know his name.
‘I only spoke to them in passing. I saw her before Christmas, handing out cards. They were both out together posting cards – they looked fine.’
Another neighbour, who moved to the area recently, said: ‘I’ve seen him out on the drive a few times in the last two months.
‘I’ve never seen her. It’s a quiet street and a friendly area, you just don’t see anyone.’
Somebody living further down the road said: ‘I knew of the lady but I didn’t know her personally.
‘Around here we all keep ourselves to ourselves. I’ve lived here 30 years, she’s lived here longer.
A seriously injured 80-year-old man was arrested and was receiving treatment in hospital
‘I don’t know who the man (her partner) was, he used to drive up and down in his car but he didn’t acknowledge or speak to anyone.
‘I never even said hello to the man, I just saw him driving up and down often.
‘Her husband was killed in a car accident many years ago.
‘Occasionally, Rita would be in the car with him or they’d walk past here and she would say hello.
‘The last time I saw them they were walking past here, wrapped up, around Christmas. She glanced and smiled and I said hello.
‘There’s a lot of retired people here, I haven’t known her be friendly with anyone here.’
Forensic teams made a sweep of the house this morning, and there has been a constant police presence since yesterday afternoon.
West Mercia Police were called to the scene about 3.05pm following a concern for safety report.
A spokesman said: ‘An 84-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive at the property and sadly pronounced dead a short time later.’
The force said on Wednesday afternoon said that the woman’s next-of-kin had been informed but formal identification was yet to take place.
The 80-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder remained in hospital receiving treatment.
Detective Inspector Joanne Delahay said: ‘Yesterday’s incident is an extremely upsetting set of circumstances, and our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of those involved in the tragic incident.’
‘The man who was arrested in connection with the woman’s death remains in hospital in a serious condition.
‘Enquiries are on-going and local residents should not be worried to see 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 hikers for its scenic surroundings.
The village also features several historic landmarks, including the Grade II listed 14th Century St Mary’s Church.
