Beaconsfield: Residents shocked at suspected murder of woman in 40s

Thames Valley Police launched a murder investigation into the death of a woman in her forties at a home on Seeleys Road yesterday.

Officers were called to a property on the road at around 6:20am on Friday, February 23, where a woman in her forties was found to have suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 39-year-old man from Beaconsfield has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held in custody, while a police cordon and presence remain in place on Seeleys Road.

Residents in Beaconsfield have said they were 'shocked and saddened' to learn of the murder investigation.

One neighbour said: "It's really sad. We didn't know the couple who lived there well, but we've never known anything like this to happen here", while another, who grew up on Seeleys Road, added: "It was the loveliest place to be as a child. It's terrible to hear about this kind of thing."

Elly Criticu, who lives just around the corner from the cordoned-off house, said the couple who lived there had seemed "very charming and polite" when they visited her for tea after buying the property around two years ago.

"They had two young children who were very small at the time. It's very sad."

Elly said there had been burglaries in the area last weekend, leading her to initially believe that a police presence on Friday morning was due to further break-ins.

"Four houses were broken into and some jewellery was stolen. When we saw the police yesterday, we thought there had been another burglary - we never dreamt of a (murder investigation) happening here.

"The children were so young. If it is their parents who are involved in this, it would be awful."

Another resident described it as "shocking", while Denis Pannett, who has lived nearby on Woodlands Drive for 45 years, said he has never known anything like this to happen before.

"It's a very peaceful area and in the 45 years I've been here there has been a burglary or two, but nothing like this. I didn't know the people who lived there, but it's terrible to hear about."

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Nick Hind of the Major Crime Unit said a "thorough investigation" was underway into what police believe was an isolated incident that poses no wider risk to the public.

He added: "My thoughts are with the victim's family and friends at this difficult time.

"A scene watch is currently in place. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to one of our officers."