Man arrested after woman’s body found in New Brighton flat

Apr 18 2012 by Alan Weston, Birkenhead News

Man arrested after woman’s body found in flat

PEOPLE living in a residential street in New Brighton spoke of their shock after the discovery of a woman’s body.

Police were called to the top floor flat of the converted property on St James Road at around 1pm on Tuesday. Inside they found the body of a 41-year-old woman. She was named locally as Sara Williams.

Paramedics pronounced the woman dead at the scene. It is understood she was assaulted.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the house and remained in custody yesterday. It is believed police are treating it as a domestic-related incident and the man and woman were partners.

Soon after making the discovery police cordoned off the house – converted into three flats and a garden apartment – and forensic teams moved in.

Scene of crime officers were seen going in and out of the flat all day while police carried out house-to-house inquiries in the area.

A post-mortem was due to take place to establish the cause of death and the victim has yet to be formally identified by police.

The couple were named locally as Cathal Camerford – known as Seamus – who lived with his partner Sara Williams. They were well-known in the area because they jointly ran a business, called Wirral Building Services, from the property. A transit van bearing the company’s name was regularly parked outside.

A friend and neighbour who lives in the building said she first found out about the murder when police knocked on her door shortly after the discovery was made.

She added: “I’ve been awake all night. We’re just devastated to hear about it. It came as a complete shock.

“I’ve lived here for three years and our friendship grew over that time. They were a lovely couple and we enjoyed spending our time with them. The road is very quiet. We’re all quite neighbourly and we all look out for one another.”

A spokesman for Merseyside police said: “A 41-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of a woman’s body in a property.

“The scene has been cordoned off and an investigation into the matter is under way.

“The woman is yet to be formally identified and a post mortem examination will take place to establish the cause of death.”