Body of missing man found in case

Heather Wardle and James Hughes were reported missing on Saturday

The body of a 22-year-old missing disabled man was found concealed in a suitcase in the garden of his family home, police have confirmed.

James Hughes's body was in a "decomposed condition" when it was found among other items in Redditch, Worcestershire, on Wednesday.

His 39-year-old mother was found dead near her home on Monday.

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

Supt Jane Horwood, of West Mercia Police, said: "Contrary to some reports in the media, the suitcase was not found in or under a shed, or buried.

"It was concealed among other items in the garden.

Mr Hughes was described by his father as a "happy-go-lucky soul"

"The body was in a decomposed condition.

"As previously stated, the post-mortem [examination] was inconclusive and we are currently awaiting the results of tests which we hope will tell us how long James had been dead and how he died.

"These are likely to take some time.

"Police are continuing to investigate reports of sightings in the last few weeks and months and it is still unclear when James was last seen."

Mr Hughes's father Paul, also from Redditch, said his son was "the most beautiful of Mother Earth's creations".

"He was a happy-go-lucky soul and always had a smile on his face," said the 42-year-old.

James Hughes and his mother Heather Wardle were reported missing on Saturday.

'Heather missed'

It is understood her partner Brian Kirby was one of those being questioned by police.

Earlier, a woman who identified herself as Mr Kirby's mother, left a bouquet of flowers dedicated to Ms Wardle's memory outside her home in Loxley Close.

A card attached to the bouquet - bearing the names of more than 20 family members and friends, including those of Ms Wardle's three surviving sons - read: "Heather, you will be missed by all of us."

A spokesman for the Birmingham-based firm of solicitors, which represented both Mr Kirby and the youth who was arrested, did not want to comment on the case.