Post mortem inconclusive as mystery surrounds murder of woman, 38, at Wolverhampton home
A post mortem has failed to determine how a 38-year-old woman in Wolverhampton was killed.
Detectives launched a murder investigation after the woman's body was found inside a two-storey detached home in Goldthorn Hill on Friday afternoon.
The victim, believed to be a wife and mother, had been assaulted and the house searched with some items taken, detectives revealed tonight.
She was found unconscious inside the two-storey detached home in Goldthorn Hill, Penn, just after 4pm on Friday and died at the scene.
A post mortem, which took place on Sunday, has failed to identify a precise cause of death.
The Rookery Lane house - which is opposite the street's junction with Tudor Crescent - has since been sealed off, with a police cordon surrounding the property while a forensics team examines the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Mallett, from the homicide unit, said: “We have a team of officers working on this murder inquiry to establish what has led to this woman’s death and our efforts are concentrated on finding the person responsible.
“We are keeping an open as to the motive of the attack. We have spoken to a number of people and we continue to trawl CCTV in the area.
“The house has been sealed off so that our forensic experts can search for evidence and we continue to make steady progress.
“Our team of family liaison officers are with the woman’s family who have been devastated by this traumatic event and we will continue to support them as our investigation continues.
“I would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious on Friday, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact my team on 101.”
Officers will be conducting extra patrols in the Wolverhampton area and detectives recommend that residents are extra vigilant regarding home security.
Paul Coxhead, who lives on the street, said he was alerted to the tragedy when he spotted eight police cars and three ambulances at around 4.30pm.
The 51-year-old, who runs a software management business, added: "My wife is a bit freaked, but honestly it could happen anywhere.
"I came back from work and there was police everywhere. On Friday night, they had the serious crime squad in so I knew it was something bad.
"It's a shame that this sort of thing happens. It just makes you think, you have got to improve your security. I'm amazed, on a main road.
"I feel sorry for the family."
Mr Coxhead went on to say the area had seen little trouble in the time he had been there.
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she thought the victim lived in the home with her husband and child.
She added: "The house was pretty downtrodden when they first moved in. They did it up.
"We didn't hear anything until the road was full with police and ambulances. We were worried because we wanted to know if we were in any direct danger.
"That is what's is sad about it - the fact that there is a girl without her mother. It's the family members who are affected the most, it's tragic."
A neighbour living next to the crime scene, who did not want to be named, said: "The police have been asking if anyone has CCTV, but they have not told us any details. It's shocking that it might be murder."
Another resident living in a property adjoining the sealed-off house added: "The police questioned us earlier. We did not see or hear anything. Obviously we are very upset."
The woman's family are being supported by officers from the force's family liaison unit, while house-to-house inquiries are also being conducted.
Officers were seen removing items from the home, which features butterflies on the front of the house, in boxes and evidence bags throughout Saturday.
A woman who lives in nearby Tudor Crescent said she did not know the family, adding: "We just keep ourselves to ourselves."
Emergency services rushed to the home but nothing could be done to revive the woman and she was pronounced dead at the scene, West Midlands Police said.
Blue tarpaulins have been pulled up over the main entrance and patio doors of the home, which is fitted with two CCTV cameras at the front.
A forensic tent has also been placed near the front of the property, which is partly shielded by a brick wall.
A force spokesperson said: "Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious near the address, which is close to the junction with Tudor Crescent, is urged to contact West Midlands Police on 101 quoting the log number 1794 16/2."
