Police have initiated a murder investigation following the discovery of an elderly woman's body in Stanley Park, Liverpool. Officers responded on Friday afternoon to reports of a deceased individual found in a walled garden area within the park.
The woman, who remains unidentified, is believed to be in her 70s and is described as having a small build and strawberry blonde hair. She was wearing a distinctive cerise pink Nike T-shirt at the time of her discovery. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, but the results are being withheld for investigative purposes.
Preliminary inquiries suggest the woman's body may have been in the park for several weeks. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson stated that while missing persons reports in the Merseyside and wider area are being examined, the woman has not yet been identified. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
"We understand that this will be distressing and worrying for people to hear and I want the local community to be reassured that we are doing everything in our powers to find the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice," Wilson said. She also appealed to walkers and dog walkers who may have been in the park, particularly the walled garden area, in recent days or weeks to report any suspicious activity they may have observed.
Crime scene detectives in white suits were present at the scene, with uniformed officers patrolling the perimeter. Three gates leading to the area were cordoned off. A police cordon remained in place, and a mobile police station was expected to be located near the park.
Residents living near the park expressed shock and fear over the incident. Bobby Potts, 80, who walks his dog in the park daily, commented on the rarity of such events in the area. Patrick Burns, 41, who lives opposite the park, described the situation as "scary" and a "real shock."
Merseyside Police are asking anyone with information to contact them via their social media channels (@MerPolCC), their website, or by calling 101, quoting reference 26000706383. Anonymous information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.