Village shock over murder

People living in a Shropshire village were reeling today as police launched a murder investigation following the death of a mother of two at a New Year's Eve party.

The woman, named today by police as 46-year-old Sharn Jones, died during an incident at a home in Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, in the early hours of yesterday. Police were called just after 3am to the property in Little Minsterley.

A party had been held during the evening, with a number of people still at the scene when officers arrived.

Ms Jones was pronounced dead after being taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital by ambulance.

It is thought Ms Jones, whose neighbours say she had two children, had lived at the property for a number of years, and she had only recently celebrated the 21st birthday of her son, Martin.

Today neighbours and residents spoke of their sadness at the death.

Neighbour and councillor Geoff Rogers said he did not hear about the incident until mid-morning yesterday. He said: "It is a tragedy. Everybody knows everyone in the village. Everybody is very shocked."

Yvonne Holyoak, a county councillor for the Rea Valley, said she was devastated as she had known Sharn for many years.

She said: "She was a really good mother and a really nice person and cared for her disabled daughter. I'm really upset about it because she was one of those people you could go to and rely on. What a waste of a life."

Bruce Bill, who runs the village post office, where Ms Jones was a customer, said: "It must be a great shock to everyone in the village."

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: "I'm devastated. We were just going to bed and we saw an ambulance and police cars right the way back up the road. We're all good friends along the road. Everybody knows everybody."

A man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the death a short time after police arrived at the scene. He was today still in custody awaiting questioning by officers.

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