Residents still reeling from Shropshire murders

Shropshire residents were today still in shock in the wake of two separate murder probes launched after two women were found dead at their homes.

The first murder investigation began when a woman in her 50s was found dead at a flat in Caradoc View, Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, at 6.40pm on Tuesday.

The woman, named locally as Jane Edwards, lived alone at the flat.

And a second murder probe was launched after the body of a woman in her 40s was discovered at a house in Orchard Street, Oswestry, at 7pm, on Tuesday.

The woman has not been formally identified by police but has been named locally as shop assistant Jill Nevitt.

Nearby residents in Shrewsbury said they were stunned after more than 60 properties were cordoned off along the road while police carried out door-to-door inquiries.

The cordon has now been relaxed but forensic examinations continue at the scene.

Josh Birch, of Caradoc View, said he knew Miss Edwards because he cleaned windows in the estate.

He said: "It's a big shock, it's usually a quiet place.

"I knew the woman, she was friendly and polite and I used to clean her windows for her. She kept herself to herself. You wouldn't see her walking around but you would often see her sitting in her front room."

People in the village said Miss Edwards had not lived there that long and was single and did not have any children. They said she had an elderly mother who was in a nursing home.

By Sam Pinnington and Iain St John