No charges in double death probe

No charges are to be brought over the deaths of a woman and her disabled son whose body was found in a suitcase at their house.

Twenty-two-year-old James Hughes, who had a mental age of 18 months, was found at the house in Loxley Close, Redditch, Worcestershire, on 19 April.

His mother Heather Wardle, 39, had been found with a ligature around her neck in nearby undergrowth days earlier.

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence.

Ms Wardle's partner Brian Kirby and a 17-year-old were initially arrested but later released without charge.

'Extremely sad'

Mr Kirby later spoke out saying both he and the youth were innocent.

It is still not known how Mr Hughes, who needed 24-hour care, died.

Colin Chapman, West Mercia chief crown prosecutor, said: "This was, for me, an extremely sad case.

"It is quite clear that Heather Wardle devoted herself to the care of her son in very difficult circumstances for many years and it is really sad that both her own and James' life should end in these tragic circumstances.

"I would like to extend my sympathies to the families at what must still be a very difficult time."

Det Insp Jon Marsden, of West Mercia Police, said: "This was a difficult and complex inquiry for the investigation team and we left no stone unturned in our efforts to establish what happened.

"The full circumstances of this case will now be passed to the coroner."

Inquests into the deaths are expected to take place in December.

Ms Wardle was also mother to three other children.

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