Disabled man death pair released

Heather Wardle and James Hughes were reported missing on Saturday

Two people arrested in connection with the murder of a disabled man have been released without charge.

The body of James Hughes, 22, was found at his home in the Church Hill area of Redditch, Worcestershire, on Wednesday. His 39-year-old mother was found dead with a ligature around her neck near her home on Monday.

It is understood her partner Brian Kirby was one of those being questioned. A post-mortem examination failed to establish how Mr Hughes died.

Mr Hughes, who had a mental age of 18 months, was reported missing from his home on Saturday.

The death of his mother, who disappeared on Friday evening, is being treated as unexplained.

James brought out the best in people he met Paul Hughes

Confirming a man and a youth had been released, Supt Jane Horwood, of West Mercia Constabulary, said: "They have both co-operated fully with our inquiries.

"Our investigation into the deaths of Heather Wardle and James Hughes are continuing and forensic examinations of the family home at Loxley Close are ongoing."

Police have confirmed dental records were used to identify Mr Hughes, but officers have refused to comment on reports he was found in a suitcase in a shed at the family home.

His father, Paul, who also lives in Redditch, described him as "the most beautiful of Mother Earth's creations".

Police have been searching the back garden of the Loxley Close home

The 42-year-old said that until recently he had enjoyed regular contact with his son, seeing him several times a week.

"He taught us that the strong should look after the weak and so much about what was important and what was not important in life," he said.

"He was a happy-go-lucky soul and always had a smile on his face.

"He brought out the best in people he met, which is why I think it's affected so many people the way it has."

In an earlier statement, Supt Horwood said the case was one of the saddest the force had dealt with and events had shocked residents in Church Hill and the wider Redditch community.

Redditch magistrates had given West Mercia Police a 12-hour extension to question the man and the youth following a 12-hour superintendent's extension granted on Thursday evening.

Both Mr Hughes and his mother were reported missing on Saturday, but detectives have been trying to establish when the last sighting of Mr Hughes, who needed 24-hour care, was.

They believe his mother died within 24 hours of leaving her home on Friday evening, when she had said she was going to visit a friend.