Man, 70, arrested after death of 80-year-old (From The Northern Echo)

Man, 70, arrested after death of 80-year-old

8:10am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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POLICE investigating the sudden and unexplained death of a pensioner have questioned a 70-year-old man who lived with her.

Emergency services were called to the home of an 80- year-old woman in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday morning.

She was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A 70-year-old man, who is understood to have been the woman’s lodger, was arrested in connection with her death.

Last night, he was released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The woman has been named locally as widow Jean Metcalfe.

Police have declined to comment further on the circumstances surrounding Mrs Metcalfe’s death.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday and an inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned today.

Mrs Metcalfe’s next of kin have been informed of her death.

People living in Castle Terrace, which is near Richmond Castle, said Mrs Metcalfe was widowed several years ago and had taken in a number of lodgers since then.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he noticed an ambulance outside Mrs Metcalfe’s cottage at about 7am on Wednesday.

He said: “The police arrived soon after the ambulance and there has been a police presence here ever since.

“They have told us the house is being treated as a crime scene.

“I knew her to say hello to and pass the time of day with, but she was very retiring and kept herself to herself.”

Another neighbour said: “She had become more and more frail in recent years.

“But we would often see her getting into a taxi, so we knew she was still able to get out and about.

“She did not come out of her house all that often, but this is a very friendly neighbourhood, so we were always pleased to see her.

“When we did see her, she was always very pleasant and friendly.

“The first we knew of any incident was when we saw the emergency services outside the cottage yesterday morning.

“Naturally, we are very shocked and saddened at what has happened and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

“The police have knocking on doors, but they have not revealed any details.”

Castle Terrace is popular with dog walkers and tourists, because it links Richmond’s Market Place with the River Swale .

Anyone with information is asked to call Richmond CID, on 0845-60-60-24-7, quoting reference number 12100041441.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800-555-111.