Police investigating unexplained death of woman after body found at Worcester home

Spate of suspicious deaths over Christmas period includes potential self-immolation, stabbings and murder-suicide

The woman was found dead in Carnforth Drive, Worcester (Google Streetview)

Police are investigating the unexplained death of a woman whose body was found at her home in Worcester.

Police found the victim, in her fifties, dead at her home in Carnforth Drive shortly before 6.50pm on Wednesday.

Investigators are treating the unidentified woman’s death as suspicious and appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

"A thorough investigation has been launched and at this stage the death is being treated as unexplained and is believed to be suspicious,” said Detective Inspector Mark Roberts.

"Officers remain at the scene of the property and we are currently exploring a number of lines of enquiry.

"We would ask if anyone witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to please come forward, and if anyone has any concerns or information we would ask them to approach and speak with an officer.

"There will be an increased policing presence in the area and I would like to reassure the community that we are conducting a thorough investigation.

"My thoughts are very much with the woman's family and friends at this difficult time."

It follows a series of unexplained and suspicious deaths across the UK over the festive period.

A man died from his injuries after being found on fire in Hull at around 8pm on Wednesday night.

Humberside Police said officers were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It is not known whether the man set fire to himself, or whether it was caused by other means, but police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

The body of 21-year-old Mohammed Aftab was found in Rochdale on Christmas Day (Greater Manchester Police)

In an unrelated incident in Warwick, a 29-year-old man died of stab wounds outside a house on Boxing Day. Harry Stone, 21, has been charged with murder.

In Scotland, a couple were found dead at their home in the rural village of Heiton on the same day.

Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths of Kevin Armstrong and Pauline Cockburn on Tuesday, amid local reports of a murder-suicide.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie said the deaths remained officially “unexplained” pending post mortem examinations and that work to establish the exact circumstances was ongoing.

In Barnsley, a 27-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of 30-year-old Stuart Tollan was found on Christmas Day.

Another man, 21-year-old Mohammed Aftab, was found dead on Christmas morning in a country lane in Rochdale after suffering stab wounds and head injuries.

Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.