Murdered Betty Yates 'found at bottom of stairs'

A retired teacher killed at her secluded Wyre Forest cottage was stabbed in the neck and found at the foot of the stairs, an inquest was told today.

A murder probe was launched after Betty Yates, aged 77, was discovered dead at her home off Dowles Road in Bewdley.

A postmortem found the mother-of-two died from stab wounds to the neck, the hearing at Worcestershire Coroners Court in Stourport heard today.

She was discovered by police officers at her home at 9am on Wednesday last week after they forced entry when concerned friends raised the alarm when she failed to turn up for a walk.

The inquest was opened by coroner Geraint Williams and adjourned while the police investigation continues.

Extra officers have been drafted in to the hunt for Mrs Yates's killer as forensic experts today continue to scour the area around her property.

More than 50 officers are now working on the investigation.

Detectives are still trying to piece together the final hours of her life while forensic examinations continue at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said he wanted to reassure residents that police were working hard to catch the killer.

He said: "Such a thorough investigation takes time but I can assure people that this is a dynamic and active inquiry and we are fully committed to catching the person or people responsible for this horrendous crime as quickly as possible.

"We now have more than 50 officers and staff working on this inquiry, including search teams who are still scouring the area around the cottage, forensic specialists and officers still making house-to-house inquiries.

"The one thing they all have in common is a determination to track down the killer and we will not rest until we have achieved that."

Police yesterday released an image of a jacket Mrs Yates was last seen wearing on Monday last week. They are trying to work out her movements between that afternoon, when she met with friends, and the following morning.

A former teacher of St Johns C of E Middle School in Kidderminster and Foley First School in Streetly, Mrs Yates was also a member of the University of the Third Age which organises events for older people.

Anyone with information should call 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.