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Missing disabled boy: Police find body and arrest two men on suspicion of his murder
Last updated at 23:52pm on 23.04.08
Missing: Police looking for James Wardle tonight confirmed they had found a body
Police hunting a severely disabled boy tonight revealed they have found a body.
In a dramatic development, an officer also confirmed that they have arrested two men on suspicion of the murder of 22-year-old James Hughes, who went missing with his mother last week.
The body of Heather Wardle, 39, was found in woodland half a mile from her house on Monday night.
It is believed she had hanged herself.
But tonight, police scouring the area for her missing son, who has the mental age of an 18-month-old, said they had found a body at a house in the Church Hill area of Redditch.
A post-mortem examination is under way to establish the cause of death.
It has also emerged that police have sealed off Loxley Close, the street where Miss Wardle and her son lived.
Superintendent Jane Horwood said: "The body was discovered this afternoon at a property in the Church Hill area of the town.
"Officers have cordoned off the immediate area.
"A post mortem is under way to establish the cause of death and arrangements are being made for formal identification.
"Two men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of James Hughes and are currently helping police with their inquiries at Kidderminster and Redditch police stations."
Four police officers stood guard at Loxley Close tonight while shocked neighbours looked on.
Joyce Parks, 86, said: "I am glad he has been found because it is a mystery, but it's very sad what has happened to him.
"I knew Heather, I used to see her around here a lot.
"I am shocked. There has been police coming and going here this afternoon. It's unnerving."
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's very sad what's happened to both of them. Heather really cares for her children and I'm surprised at what has happened."
Earlier in the day, the anguished partner of Miss Wardle described his heartbreak at her death.
Speaking about the discovery of her body, her long-term partner Brian Kirby said he was struggling to accept that she had killed herself.
"It's heartbreaking," he said. "It's very hard to accept and take in. That wasn't the Heather I know.
"It's hurting me and the kids are also heartbroken and desperately missing her.
"It's absolutely terrible and she will be sorely missed."
Mr Kirby, 36, said his girlfriend had helped him get over the death of his father, saying: "She was great, she was my star."
He also described her as a great mother to James and their two sons, Callum and Luke.
"Her priorities were the family and the house. She was an excellent mother and really lovely," he said.
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Tragic: Heather Wardle, seen here with her partner Brian Kirby, was found hanged on Monday night. Her son James is still missing
Today, police confirmed that Ms Wardle was found with a ligature around her neck at the base of a tree and a post-mortem found she had hanged herself.
Ms Wardle and James were both reported missing on Friday after she said she was going to visit a friend but never arrived.
He disappeared at the same time but it is not yet clear whether they left together or separately.
A West Mercia Police spokesman said today: "A post-mortem took place yesterday afternoon and, while the results of toxicology tests are awaited, police are today able to confirm Heather was found with a ligature around her neck at the base of a tree."
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Search: Forensic teams at Heather Wardle's home this afternoon
Detectives are still trying to find out when Mr Hughes, who needs round-the-clock care and cannot fend for himself, was last seen.
They have had several calls from the public about possible sightings and are trying to piece together his last movements.
One call reported seeing a man believed to be him pushing an empty wheelchair on Monday afternoon.
Superintendent Jane Horwood said the man was with a young woman, aged 18 or 19 and not believed to be Ms Wardle, by a lake in Arrow Valley Country Park in Redditch at 3.30pm.
Another man was walking his three springer spaniels nearby, and one of the dogs jumped up at what is believed to be Mr Hughes, she said.
"We are asking for these people to come forward so we can eliminate them from the inquiry," she said.
She added: "We are trying to piece together James's movements over the weeks and months so we can piece together his lifestyle.
"Heather was his main carer and he spent most of his time in his bedroom.
"I am hoping that he is alive but we have grave concerns."
James suffers from a number of health problems including epilepsy. He uses a wheelchair, needs round-the-clock attention and cannot fend for himself.
He disappeared the same day as his 39-year-old mother, but police have yet to establish for certain that they left together.
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A forensic team examines the grim find as the search for the missing son continues
When Miss Wardle was last sighted, she was on her own.
The constant attention James needs had put her under "tremendous strain", police said. Her exhausting daily routine included washing and feeding him.
Supt Horwood said earlier: "We are trying to put together a picture of their lives and we want to hear from anyone who knew either of them."
She added: "Heather was James's main carer and her family tell us she was a fantastic mother.
"This is a very unusual case, but we must stress that at this stage it is still an inquiry into an unexplained death and a missing person."
James was in regular contact with his father, Paul Hughes, also of Redditch.
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Police examine the area around a ladder propped against a tree near to where Heather Wardle's body was found
Mr Hughes, who runs a building firm, said yesterday: "I am on tenterhooks and am sick with worry.
"James is very vulnerable and we would urge anyone who has seen him, or has any information at all, to please get in touch with the police.
"We are all in bits and praying he is safe. I was absolutely gutted when I heard the news about Heather.
"She was an absolutely amazing mother and must have been in a very dark place to do something like that.
"I have spoken to her recently but I had no inkling she was going to do something like this. But that is all I can say."
Miss Wardle's second son Daniel, 18, is from another previous relationship. Callum, eight, and Luke, six, are the children of her current partner Brian Kirby, 36, a moulder.
They have been together for 16 years but are not married.
It is understood he was not at home when Miss Wardle left on Friday and she was last seen by Daniel.
Mr Kirby reported her missing on Saturday morning.
Neighbours told how Miss Wardle's behaviour had become "odd" recently.
One, Linda Parkes, 48, a hospital worker, said: "She was a lovely lady and always very pleasant.
"I saw her on Friday and she seemed normal although she had lost a lot of weight.
"But a few days earlier I saw her walking to the shops and she looked as if she was talking to someone but there wasn't anyone there.
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Short walk: Heather Wardle's body was found in a park half a mile from her home
"She seemed rather odd that day, I'd never seen her like that before."
James is described as 5ft 4ins, thin, with short mousy hair. He looks younger than his age.
Although he can walk short distances he tends to stumble and usually uses a wheelchair. He needs help to get in and out of it.
Neighbours said James visited a centre for people with learning difficulties and when he was brought home by car it took two people holding him under the arms to walk him to his front door.
Police sources said Miss Wardle also received help from social services in looking after James.
One neighbour said: "Occasionally we see him outside in his wheelchair but nobody really knows him because of how he is."
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Mercia police on 08457 444888.
Reader views (9)
I feel terribly sorry especially for the young lad, I m praying that he is well and safe wherever he is. Its such a shame that his mother who loved him and took care of him had to take her own life. I hope the next carers of James will give him the care and love that he deserves, for it is not his fault to be the way he is. My condolence to the whole family and best wishes for James' safe return.
- Nancy, milton keynes, UK
It's too weird that one person hangs themself and the person they're with was possibly murdered by others. She clearly adored her children, I don't think she'd willing leave three of them motherless. I think she and her son met foul play.
- Kathleen H, Connecticut, USA
What's the likelihood that Heather Wrdle received minimal help from Social Services in looking after James. Yet if she had abandoned him, Social Services would have had to provide 24x7 care for him.
It is shameful the way that the authorities treat vulnerable people in this country. Gordon Brown should hang his head in shame.
- Ian Gilbertson, Newcastle
I live with and take care of a disabled individual. The help and assistance we receive from others including friends family and state are marginal. The emotional toll this woman felt over the responsibilities were enormous. This is really sad that it had to come to this. For all you people out there who don't have a clue, wake up and donate a few minutes of your day to assist loved ones, friends, and or family with similar circumstances. Your country, including mine as well as others, is ultimately not going to make sure your not starving to death. Proof? Look at the rising fuel and food prices. Examine the economy and realize the reality that you and your loved ones will eventually die broke, destitute, and lonely. It's amazing to me that war is seen as a patriotic way of problem solving. The bottom line is that we continue to kill one another. Remember, war has one despicable outcome-Homicide! We as humans solve problems by either passively or actively killing one another. I pray that one day, myself included, we will take back our dignity from the morons that continue to deprive us of it and change this programmed way of not caring for one another. Will you/we continue to act stupid when tragedy strikes? Will you/ we continue to act as if we really didn't see it coming? Of course you will. As long as that house, car, and steak dinner are waiting for you, you continue to insulate your mind to others tragedies.
- C.J.Summers, United States
This makes no sense. If there had been woods closer to the home then why not have hung yourself there if she was so desperate to take her own life by hanging.
Instead the sight of hanging was at an extreme distance from the home within woods bordering at least three main roads where it is more likely she had been forced to take her own life by unknown recipients who had driven her there by car and then left by car after the deadly deed was done.
- J. Burkhart, United States
My condolences to the rest of their family - what a tragic outcome.
- Shirley, London
This is so terribly sad. I hope they find him safe and well.
- Neil, London, UK
This is very sad. I do hope that the lad is found OK but from what I am reading I doubt it. I don't know how the UK Gov/NHS can help out more families with help with disabled children. I know they do a lot already but this woman obviously could not cope and its a shame that this was only highlighted by her killing herself (if that is the reason).
- Cj, SE London
Absolute tragedy.
- Stuart, Luton, UK
