Shock at discovery of body of woman
49-YEAR-OLD FOUND DEAD IN HOUSE IN EARLY HOURS
Reporter FAMILIES have been left in shock after a woman was found dead in a house in their street.
Police were called to Penfold Close in Benton, Newcastle, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
They were alerted by the ambulance service after a team tried to resuscitate the 49-year-old.
Officers cordoned off the area as investigations were launched. An officer still stood outside the house hours later. Forensic experts were also at the scene.
A 43-year-old man has been arrested and is being held in custody as police carry out their investigations.
Residents have told how they opened their curtains in the morning and made the grim discovery that an “unexplained” death happened only doors away.
Ian Whinfield, 31, who lives near to the house where the body was found, said: “I was working night shift and came in at about 6.30am and was faced with the police tape. I’ve lived here for about three years now and I’m surprised that a woman has died only doors away. I hope the police get to the bottom of it.
“I know a woman lives there and she has kids in their early teens or late twenties.”
A 78-year-old neighbour said: “We have lived here for about 20 years and the woman who lives in that house has been here longer than us. She has four children, all grown up, two boys and two girls.
“It’s very sad. She would say hello and was nice.”
Pat Nixon, 75, said: “When I opened the door to check outside I saw the police tape and a police van.
“I know the woman in that house where it happened and she would smile and say hello. But she kept herself to herself. I’ve never seen any bother there. She came here form Birmingham, over 20 years ago with her children. She was hard-working and always had a job. “I’m shocked and upset.” Police were called to the street, near to the Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus, at 12.48am by the ambulance service. It is not yet known how the woman died.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “At this time her death is being treated as unexplained. A 43-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death and remains in custody while enquiries continue.”