Woman murdered before house fire

Patricia Thompson's death is being treated as murder

An 85-year-old woman found dead after a fire on Teesside had been murdered before it began, police have said.

The body of Patricia Thompson was discovered when fire crews were called to her home at Emma Simpson Court in Hartburn, Stockton, late on Saturday.

A post-mortem examination revealed that she died of injuries unconnected to the fire. It is believed she was assaulted.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw her or any suspicious activity between 1730 and 2330 BST to contact them.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "Mrs Thompson was physically active and well known in the local community, and there is no reason why her life should have been cut short.

"Her family is understandably devastated about what has happened, and are trying to come to terms with her death.

"There is a full team of detectives working on this case to find out who is responsible and bring them to justice."

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A murder hunt has begun on Teesside after an 85-year-old woman is killed and her home torched