'Babies in attics' search widens

Police resume their search on the Gurnos estate on Friday

Police investigating the discovery of three babies' bodies at two houses on a south Wales estate have begun searching a third property.

The first body was found in March, hidden in a suitcase in the attic of a house on the Gurnos housing estate in Merthyr Tydfil.

Two further bodies were found in the attic of a nearby house.

On Wednesday, police were given an extra 36 hours to question Ann Mahoney, 64, on suspicion of murder.

On Thursday, police officers began a search of the third property, on the estate's Crabapple Close.

Two officers have strimmed the garden, and have started digging it up in preparation for a team of specially-trained sniffer dogs. They are due to return on Friday morning.

Both of the houses in which remains have been found are current or former residences of Mrs Mahoney on the Gurnos estate.

Ann Mahoney was honoured for her work in the community

On Wednesday, detectives confirmed that they were interviewing Mrs Mahoney, a retired nurse and widely-known for her community work on the town's Gurnos estate.

Det Supt Paul Kemp, who is leading the investigation, said he did not anticipate finding further remains but was "keeping an open mind".

A post-mortem examination on the first set of remains, found in Penyfan View in March by the new owners of the house, failed to establish a cause of death, although pathologists believe the baby was full-term.

Officers have said the baby had been dead for years rather than months.

Post-mortem examinations on the other remains were performed on Wednesday and DNA tests were also being carried out.

It has also been confirmed that Mrs Mahoney had been arrested in connection with the death of a baby, whose remains were discovered in a bag in the attic of a house on 20 March.

The police search drew a crowd at the Gurnos estate

Heading a team of 20 officers, Det Supt Paul Kemp said that following the arrest of Mrs Mahoney at a house in Forsythia Close, officers searched the property and found the remains of another two infants in bags in the attic.

Mrs Mahoney, a grandmother, has lived on the Gurnos estate all her life and is well known for her community work, particularly with young people, including the local youth football team.

She has fought for better conditions for residents and was on the local residents' committee.

A few years ago, she won a crime prevention citizen of the year award.

Police have asked for anyone with information to contact the incident room in Merthyr on 01685 724270, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.