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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
John Scheerhout & Jon Macpherson

Murder squad detectives arrest Manchester man after pensioner found dead at house near Blackpool Pleasure Beach

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman in her 70s was found dead at a house in Blackpool on Boxing Day.

The emergency services were called to Severn Road, close to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, shortly after 7pm last night (December 26) following reports a woman was unresponsive. When police and paramedics entered the address, they found the pensioner dead at the scene.

A 47-year-old man from Manchester has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody today for questioning, LancsLive has reported.

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Pictures from the scene show several police vehicles, including CSI vans, parked on the street. The incident happened at a property close to Thames Primary Academy and Nursery located on the same street.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses. They are particularly keen to speak to anybody who saw anybody entering or leaving number 32 Severn Street between 12pm on Christmas Day and 6.30pm.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary told LancsLive: "We have launched a murder inquiry after a woman was found dead inside a property in Blackpool. Our officers and colleagues from the North-West Ambulance Service attended an address in Severn Road at 7.03pm on Boxing Day following reports a woman was unresponsive.

"When they entered, they sadly found a woman in her 70s deceased. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this time.

"A 47-year-old man from Manchester has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Police at Severn Road in Blackpool after the body of a woman, 70, was discovered (LancsLive)

"We are now appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to speak to anybody who saw anybody entering or leaving number 32 Severn Street between 12pm on Christmas Day and 6.30pm yesterday to contact the police. We are also asking people to review any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area to see if they have captured anything suspicious."

Det Supt Neil Drummond said: "First and foremost my thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased at this difficult time. We have launched a murder investigation to establish the full circumstances of how she died.

"Although we have made an arrest, our investigation is very much ongoing and you will see officers in the area today carrying out enquiries. If you have any information you feel may assist our inquiry please speak to officers at the scene."

Alternatively, email foreceontrolroom@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 996 of December 27, 2022.

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