Sleepy Marlow Bottom is in shock after sirens, helicopters and police dogs disturbed the tranquillity on Wednesday morning in a tragic murder that shook the village.
As the day went on it emerged that “lovely” Tina Choules - who lived on Ragmans Lane - had been murdered in the early hours of the morning, in a rare but horrifying incident for the area.
Nearby residents have described Mrs Choules as a “quiet and peaceful” Buddhist, who had spent a lot of time making her own detailed shrines - which decorated the woods where she lived.
Mrs Choules' house on Ragmans Lane
The 81-year-old widow lived alone in the woodland mansion, aside from her beloved flat-coat retriever who is now being looked after by kind-hearted villagers.
June and John Hawkins who live in Marlow Bottom, a road next to Ragmans Lane, said: “Everyone was looking out for her. She was 81 but looked about 61. She was so active and we would see her walking around a lot.
“She would hand make Buddhist shrines, there is a whole row of them up in the woods.
“She was so peaceful and quiet. There was a sign outside her house that said something like 'this is a religious site, please respect it'.
“We feel so safe here, you wouldn’t think there was anything to worry about.”
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She was well known among dog owners who would walk their pets near her home, and she welcomed people to walk freely across her land according to Sharon Longhurst, form Longhurst Butchers on Brucewood Parade.
She said: “She would put flowers out along Ragmans Lane, she was a nice lady.
“We live in a lovely picturesque area with woodland which is hidden which is probably why something like this happened.”
Another upset Marlow Bottom resident, who did not want to be named, said although Mrs Choules was secluded “everyone” knew who she was.
She said: “It just goes to show no one is protected even in an area like this, no one is safe.
“She was a lovely lady and lived there on her own with a dog, she was so secluded up there but everybody knew who she was. It is such a tragedy.”
If you knew Tina and would like to leave a tribute contact Jasmine Rapson on 01494 755091 or jasmine.rapson@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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