Shrewsbury school murder probe continues

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a young woman was discovered in the doorway of Harlescott Junior School.

The woman, believed to be in her early 20s, was found dead by a side entrance to the school in Featherbed Lane.

Two men, aged 32 and 39, and a 31-year-old woman, all from Shrewsbury, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody while they are questioned.

Residents today spoke of their shock after two murder investigations were launched in the same "peaceful" street in the last fortnight.

Those living in and around Featherbed Lane in Shrewsbury expressed their disbelief at the sad news of two women being found dead just 500 metres and a fortnight apart.

A woman in her early 20s was found dead in the doorway of a side entrance to Harlescott Junior School just before midnight on Sunday.

The discovery sparked the arrest of two men, aged 32 and 39, and a 31-year-old woman, all from Shrewsbury, on suspicion of murder.

The woman's body was found just 500 metres along the same road from where Julie Mercer was found dead on Christmas Eve.

The 47-year-old, of Buttington Road in Shrewsbury, was found dead at Shrewsbury Transport Ltd on Sundorne Trade Park, just off Featherbed Lane.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of her murder and has been bailed while detectives continue their investigation.

Police are not linking the two murders and believe they are unconnected, but patrols have been increased in the area to provide reassurance to residents.

Meanwhile police officers in forensic suits were yesterday seen carrying out examinations at the school.

Barry Stout, 75, a retired building manager, whose house on Field Crescent overlooks the school, said: "I saw a police car in front of the gates at about 10am and I wondered what was going on so I had a wander down the garden and I could see them in white suits walking across.

"It's a shock to hear what's happened, especially with it being so close by.

"And after the other woman being found only up the road a couple of weeks ago. It's so sad. You just don't expect it to happen in your area."

Sunil Patel, 40, who has run Moston Stores in Moston Road for the last 34 years, said everyone on the estate was talking about the murder investigation.

He said: "People are shocked. One young girl from the flats said she wanted to find out what's going on because she lives on her own and she's frightened.

"I said she should go and ask the police. Everyone keeps coming into my shop and asking me what's going on, but no-one knows much about it, being the school holidays.

"Two murders in two weeks, I just don't know. The last one was just across the road a few hundred yards away just before Christmas.

"There's lots of police around, though. I've seen cars outside the school gates and they have been going around the estate."

A 79-year-old neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: "I have lived on this street for 30 years and I have never known anything like it. To have one murder is bad enough but two is very shocking indeed.

"This is a nice and peaceful street and always has been, but maybe its just a sign of the times. Unfortunately these things seem to be happening all over the place."

The victim, who has not been formally identified but whose next of kin have been informed, was found by a police officer just before midnight on Sunday after concerns were raised for her safety.

A post mortem by a home office pathologist was expected to be completed today.

The woman's body was found just 500 metres along the same road where Julie Mercer was found dead on Christmas Eve.

The 47-year-old of Buttington Road in Shrewsbury, was found dead at Shrewsbury Transport Ltd on Sundorne Trade Park, just off Featherbed Lane.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of her murder but has been bailed while detectives continue their investigation.

Police are not linking the two murders and believe they are unconnected.

But patrols have been increased in the area to provide reassurance to residents.

Officers were today continuing to carry out forensic examinations at the school.

Pupils had been due to return to lessons today following the Christmas holidays but the site will remain closed to both children and staff while investigations continue.

Police hope to have completed their examination of the area by later today to allow the school to reopen tomorrow.

Neighbours of the school described their shock at seeing a flurry of police activity when they awoke yesterday morning.

Police patrol cars blocked the entrance to the school on Featherbed Lane and residents of Moston Road, Field Crescent and Allerton Road whose properties overlook the school playing fields described seeing forensic teams in white suits.

A white tent was put up on the playground next to the side entrance of the school where the body was found.

Mum-of-three Georgina Hughes, 39, whose eight-year-old daughter goes to the school, said: "As a parent it is very worrying. They have very high security fences so I have no idea how they have got in there. The body was found in a doorway by a side entrance into the school.

"So they have managed to get well and truly on the site, which is also very concerning.

"I'm not sure whether a teacher or staff member found the body or not – but it is very shocking nonetheless.

"To have two murders in two weeks is also very unusual for an area like Shrewsbury, as the crime rate here is very low.

"The school has been closed today anyway due to a personal development day and will probably be closed tomorrow now as well.

"The sooner we can get back to normality the better because it feels quite unnerving."

If anyone has information that may help police with their investigation they can call 101 and quote reference 0566s of Sunday 4 January 2015.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org