Second body exhumed in inquiry

Ms Alder's family said she was missed "greatly"

The second of three exhumations has taken place by police investigating seven suspicious deaths at a care home in Somerset.

Grandmother-of-four Marion Alder, 79, was exhumed at midnight from the graveyard of St Leonard's Church, Butleigh, on Wednesday.

Mrs Alder, a resident at the Parkfields home in the village, died last July.

Parkfields' former managers Rachel and Leigh Baker were questioned after the New Year's Day death of Lucy Cox, 97.

This is a complex and extensive operation which is expected to run for a number of months Avon and Somerset Police statement

The graveyard at Butleigh remains cordoned-off and a large white tent covers the grave.

An inquest has been opened by the coroner.

Mrs Alder's remains have been removed to Yeovil District Hospital where a full post-mortem examination and toxicology tests will be carried out.

Police have said it will be some weeks before the results of the forensic tests are announced.

Det Insp Ben Batley, deputy senior investigating officer in the inquiry, said: "The exhumation went as planned and we will now wait for the mortuary tests to be carried out before Mrs Alder is reburied.

"I would once again like to thank Mrs Alder's family for their co-operation and the residents of Butleigh for their understanding at what is obviously a difficult time for the village community."

'Village shocked'

The vicar of St Leonard's, Rev Brian Gillett, was present during the exhumation and said prayers shortly before Mrs Alder's remains were taken away.

He said: "This is a very sad time. The whole village has been shocked and saddened by the affair and we all hope it turns out to be nothing."

Mrs Alder, who was married to local pharmacist Roy Alder, moved to Butleigh in 1987.

Her family released a statement which read: "Marion, who died aged 79, was a proud grandmother-of-four and mother to a son and daughter. As a family we miss her greatly."

Last week the remains of Nellie "Mary" Pickford, 89, were exhumed at Glastonbury cemetery.

Leigh and Rachel Baker were both arrested after Ms Cox's death

The final exhumation will take place in the coming weeks.

The Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (CSCI) obtained a court order to immediately close Parkfields on 16 March.

Mrs Baker, 45, was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance on 5 January - four days after the death of Mrs Cox.

Her husband Leigh, 48, was arrested two days later on suspicion of being concerned with the same offence and was also questioned by officers.

The pair, who live in Glastonbury, have both been bailed until September.

In a statement Avon and Somerset Police said: "Extensive inquiries have left police with no option but to consider the exhumation of those people who have died while in the home's care and whose deaths are believed to be suspicious.

"This is a complex and extensive operation which is expected to run for a number of months.

"This is a sad and difficult time for them (the families) and they wish to be left to deal with this in peace."