Murder police hunt victim's phone

Beverly Parkhouse owned a silver Samsung T100 mobile

Police investigating the murder of a woman found dead in a burnt-out bedroom of her father's home say they want to trace her mobile phone.

The body of Beverley Parkhouse, 45, from Ogmore Vale near Bridgend, was found by her father on 4 September. It is thought she was suffocated.

Detectives said her phone - a Samsung T100 - may hold vital evidence as it was used in the run up to her death.

South Wales Police have said they believe Mrs Parkhouse knew her killer.

Det Supt Paul Kemp said the silver phone formed a "vital part" of the murder investigation.

He added: "It was used in the period of time between Beverley's last sighting and the discovery of her body, so clearly finding it is imperative to getting to the bottom of this case.

"If the phone was, as we believe, used in the run-up to Beverley's murder then it may hold vital evidence as to what happened during Sunday night and Monday morning."

He asked anyone who found the phone, or was offered it for sale, to contact police.

Police say Mrs Parkhouse probably knew her killer

Mrs Parkhouse's death was initially treated as unexplained by police, but they launched a murder inquiry after the post-mortem examination.

A 51-year-old man was arrested on 20 September, and later released on bail.

Mrs Parkhouse, who worked for 20 years at a local nursing home, spent her last evening at the Top Club in Nantymoel, before taking a taxi back to her father's home on Cardiff Street, Ogmore Vale.

Her father Ken Palmer was in the house at the time of the death, which was between 2330 BST on Sunday 3 September and 1130 BST the next day.

It is thought the fire, which caused significant damage but apparently burnt itself out, was started after the murder to conceal evidence.

On Tuesday, Mrs Parkhouse's husband Andre, 45, appealed to the public to help catch his wife's killer.

He said she had been a "wonderful wife, daughter and mother" who was "well-known and loved in the community".

Anyone with information can call the incident room on 01656 306099, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.