'Stepfather held' in murder probe

Heather Wardle and James Hughes were reported missing on Saturday

One of two suspects being held on suspicion of murdering a disabled man is believed to be his stepfather.

James Hughes, 22, was found dead less than 48 hours after the body of his mother, Heather Wardle, was discovered.

Mr Hughes, who had a mental age of 18 months, was reported missing from his home in the Church Hill area of Redditch, Worcestershire, on Saturday.

A man and a youth are being held over his death. The man is believed to be Ms Wardle's partner, Brian Kirby, 36.

A spokesman for West Mercia Constabulary said police had been given a superintendent's extension to question the pair.

The 12-hour extension is due to run out in the morning.

This is without doubt one of the saddest cases West Mercia Constabulary has dealt with Superintendent Jane Horwood

Mr Hughes' mother was found with a ligature around her neck in woodland near her home in Church Hill on Monday evening.

The death of the 39-year-old mother of four, who disappeared on Friday evening, is being treated as unexplained.

Police confirmed that dental records were being used to formally identify the body of her son, which was found on Wednesday, and that a post mortem examination was taking place to establish the cause of death.

In a police statement, Supt Jane Horwood said: "The post mortem should give us more information about how and when James died.

"What started out as a missing persons inquiry has tragically become an investigation into two deaths.

"While we never gave up hope of finding both Heather and James alive, we were extremely concerned about both of them right from the start, and our fears for James obviously increased after the discovery of his mother's body.

"This is without doubt one of the saddest cases West Mercia Constabulary has dealt with and the events of the last few days have left residents of Church Hill and the wider Redditch community shocked."

A post mortem examination on the body of Ms Wardle took place on Tuesday afternoon. Police are awaiting the results of toxicology tests.