GUILTY UK - Chrissy Ford, 71, found dead in almshouse, Flamstead, Hertfordshire, 27 July 2019

[Tortoise]

The body of Chrissy Ford was found shortly before 8pm on Saturday evening in Flamstead, Hertfordshire.

Concerned family members contacted officers when they realised the 71-year-old was missing.

Police launch murder probe as church-going lady, 71, is found killed in ancient almshouse | Daily Mail Online

 

[Tortoise]

A 64-year-old man has been arrested after police found the body of an elderly lady in an almshouse.

This is the pictured that police shared as sought to speak to the Toyota’s driver following the pensioner’s death

‘She was a very keen gardener and a very nice person. When you met her, you came away afterwards feeling better for having seen and spoken to her – she was that sort of person.

‘I suppose she was in her early 70s and she was a single and retired lady, who had moved to the village to be nearer her family.’

Police hunt local mechanic after church-going lady is found killed in ancient almshouse | | Express Digest

 

[Tortoise]

This was in the news two hours ago, before the arrest -

Police have named a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident as Brian Coote, aged 64, from High Street, Flamstead.

Officers believe he is with his beige Toyota Rav 4, which has the registration number GR53 OCJ.

Murder investigation in Flamstead: Manhunt for 64-year-old

 

[Tortoise]

Reverend Sander said: 'She had a really loving family around her and friends.. She was close to many people in the village. She didn't drive and so you would see her walking on foot everywhere, but family was very important to her.

'The tragedy is that she was so happy here having moved to Flamstead, it was like she had found a new lease of life by getting involved in village life.'

The lady regularly called by the local shop in the village for her morning paper and groceries.

A villager said: 'You would often see her with her grandchildren who she had collected after school and they would stop by the shop for an ice-cream on their way home.'

One resident said: 'This is such a peaceful, rural spot. It's the last place you would think something like this would happen. To say it's like something out of Midsomer Murders is not an exaggeration.'

Police hunt local mechanic after church-going lady is found killed in ancient almshouse

 

[Tortoise]

Ms Ford, a retired hairdresser, has two adult sons, one of whom lives locally. Friends said that she had moved to a historical almshouse in the village to be closer to him about six years ago and previously lived with her husband on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Coote, said to have worked as a car mechanic, was a friend of the victim, neighbours said. The pair are not thought to have been romantically involved. [...]

Ms Ford’s son, Mark, and his wife, Alison, lived minutes from her house with their son and daughter [...]

Man arrested over village murder of church volunteer, 71

 

[Tortoise]

Christine Ford (pictured) was found dead on Saturday in Flamstead, Hertfordshire


Mechanic and gardener Brian Coote lives two houses down from Mrs Ford's property, and was said to have been known by her.

However one neighbour said that he had been acting strangely around her, and at a village fete had even tried to kiss her.

Ms Ford lived at number 5 in a row of four almshouses in the High Street, with Mr Coote occupying number 7.

He had been given his one-bedroom home following the death of his mother, who he had lived with for many years.

Neighbours said Ms Ford had been waiting to move into number 1 in the row next month because it had a bigger garden.

Brian Coote was said, at one stage, to have also lived at number 1.

more to read at link

Police launch murder probe as church-going lady, 71, is found killed in ancient almshouse | Daily Mail Online

 

[Alyce]

I read that she had not been seen since Thursday but when people - family ? realised that she was *missing * ...they called police who had to break into the house ?

I find that rather odd

 

[Legally Bland]

I was looking on streetview earlier and no. 5 and no. 7 are directly next to each other.

Ms Ford lived at number 5 in a row of four almshouses in the High Street, with Mr Coote occupying number 7.

Mechanic and gardener Brian Coote lives two houses down from Mrs Ford's property, and was said to have been known by her.

Probably just a typo by the Mail. But 2 doors away would put BC at no. 1, I guess that could be a source of conflict if CF was moving in there.

Although it's sounding more like an unreciprocated romantic interest as motive at the moment.

 

[Tortoise]

I was looking on streetview earlier and no. 5 and no. 7 are directly next to each other.

Probably just a typo by the Mail. But 2 doors away would put BC at no. 1, I guess that could be a source of conflict if CF was moving in there.

Although it's sounding more like an unreciprocated romantic interest as motive at the moment.

Yes I read in one of the articles that he wasn't happy about the noise through the wall. I can't remember if it was noise from the grandchildren or dog. So it must have been next door.

eta - yes it's here -
'Also, he didn't like it when she had her grandchildren round to her home, because he could hear them through the walls.'

Police launch murder probe as church-going lady, 71, is found killed in ancient almshouse | Daily Mail Online

 

[Tortoise]

"He was tracked down to the village of Caddington, near Luton."

PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines.

 

[Alyce]

That makes more sense now - they had to break into an adjoining property, not into CFs own home.

 

[Legally Bland]

I guess he's had his detention extended then.

 

[Alyce]

Tom Sander @RevThomasSander

Tomorrow (Tuesday) from 8pm St Leonard’s will be open for a vigil of light to gather ourselves in a place where hope is found. I will say a few words at 8.30pm. Candles will be available and you may place flowers if you wish. Everyone welcome.






Vigil held for woman found dead at almshouse

 

[NervousNellie]

Wow. Just wow.
At least they got this guy. We know so many cases go unsolved.

 

[Alyce]

A 64-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, July 29 and remains in custody. He has not yet been charged and is currently receiving medical assistance.



Flamstead villagers pull together as murder investigation continues

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

RIP Chrissy

 

[Alyce]

A 64-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, July 29 and remains in custody. He has not yet been charged and is currently receiving medical assistance.



Flamstead villagers pull together as murder investigation continues

Just wondering if this is the reason we have not heard about any charge or release - 96 hours must be up today.

 

[Tortoise]

Brian Coote, 64, of High Street, Flamstead, has been charged with murder and will appear at Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday.

Officers searched the scene in Flamstead for several days

Man charged with murder over body in almshouse

 

[Tortoise]

He appeared before Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday, where he was remanded in custody.

Coote will appear before Luton Crown Court for his first hearing on Tuesday (August 6).

Police release update after man accused of killing 71-year-old appears in court

 

[Tortoise]

yesterday August 6th:

Luton Crown Court 5 T20197217
Brian William Thomas Coote
Details: For Preliminary Hearing - Case Started - 14:02
For Preliminary Hearing - Hearing finished for BRIAN WILLIAM THOMAS COOTE - 14:19