Bridgnorth woman charged with murder of her missing mother
A woman has been charged with murdering her 65-year-old mother who has gone missing from her home.
Lucy Fox, 38 and of Bridgnorth, is accused of murdering her mother Judy Fox at her home in Shifnal.
Police are still searching for Mrs Fox, who was a staff nurse at the Express & Star and Shropshire Star newspapers for many years.
Officers started their investigation after a fire at a house in Apley Park, near Bridgnorth, which was allegedly started by Lucy Fox.
Nobody was injured in the blaze but West Mercia Police say subsequent enquiries led officers to be concerned for the welfare of Mrs Fox at a house in Haughton Drive, Shifnal.
Officers are still trying to locate her and a police cordon remained in place around the detached house in Haughton Drive today.
Forensic specialists have been examining the house while officers have been going door to door speaking to residents.
Windows and doors to the house, including the garage, had been left open as officers made their way through each room.
One Haughton Drive resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I knew she was missing and suspected she was dead.
"I didn't hear much but I first heard police in the middle of the night. I was asleep and could hear dogs barking in the back of my mind, which I just tried to sleep through but I knew there was some kind of ruckus going on.
"Police have since been up and down questioning people. They came and asked who and how many people lived here, our ages, occupation and everything. They also asked to go in the back garden and have a look around."
Another resident confirmed they had been "heavily questioned" and had seen police patrolling through Shifnal town centre and near The Crown Inn, a few minutes walk away from Haughton Drive in Broadway.
Lucy Fox has been charged with murdering her mother in Shifnal between June 12 and June 14 and with arson with intent to endanger life at a property belonging to Nicholas Fox in Apley Park, Bridgnorth.
She appeared by video link at Kidderminster Magistrates Court today where she was remanded in custody. The case has been committed to Stafford Crown Court.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bellamy said: “I’d like to thank those residents who may have been affected by our searches and enquiries in this incident.”
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines from Telford to the blaze in Apley Park as well as operations and fire investigation officers.
The incident involved three small patches of fire, the fire service said.
