Man, 36, charged with murdering ‘dearly loved’ church warden

David Parish will appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Beryl Purdy, who died at her home in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, Somerset (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)

A 36-year-old man has been charged with murdering a church warden at her Somerset home, police said.

David Parish, of no fixed address, is accused of murdering Beryl Purdy, 86, who died in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, on March 27.

He was initially sectioned under the Mental Health Act and then charged after being released from a secure mental health unit on Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police said.

He will appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

We will continue to carry out our investigation and seek to provide the family with the justice they so rightly deserve

Detective Inspector Deb Hatch

Detective Inspector Deb Hatch said: “This is a positive step in our investigation into the death of Beryl, known as Bez to her friends and family.

“Our thoughts remain with the family during this incredibly difficult time and they continue to be supported by a specially trained family liaison officer.

Bez was a caring person who would help anyone in need and was very much part of the village, being a church warden for 20 years

Mrs Purdy's loved ones

“We will continue to carry out our investigation and seek to provide the family with the justice they so rightly deserve. We hope this news will also be welcomed by the local community which we know Bez was a much-love member of.”

Police were called to reports of a burglary in progress at Mrs Purdy’s home at about 5.45pm on March 27. She was found seriously injured and died at the property.

In a statement, Mrs Purdy’s family said: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.

“Bez was a caring person who would help anyone in need and was very much part of the village, being a church warden for 20 years.

“We will miss her very much and we are all struggling to understand why this happened to such a lovely person.”