Susan Whiting murder: Suspects named as police granted extra time to question pair

The grim discovery was made inside a property in Heather Close, Dudley Fields in Bloxwich on Tuesday where she was said to have stayed on Sunday night.

A 34-year-old man and 35-year-old woman, named locally as Steve and Julie Beards, today remained in custody after West Midlands Police was granted an extra 36 hours to question the pair. This means that the pair can now be held until 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

The alarm was raised after Miss Whiting, aged 20, failed to return to her home on Station Street by lunchtime on Monday.

Miss Whiting, who has a learning impairment, had never been missing before and her family called the police after she failed to return home.

It is believed Miss Whiting lived with her mother Maureen and brothers Jamie and Chris.

A police spokesman said: "The body is yet to be formally identified and a post mortem will take place in due course to establish the cause of death, which at present is being treated as suspicious. A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder."

A forensic tent remained in place in the garden of Heather Close and a cordon around one of the bungalows yesterday.

Neighbours said they first noticed police arrive on Tuesday afternoon. A forensic tent was put at the front and also in the back garden of the property. Access to Heather Close was yesterday blocked off by police.

Properties in Heather Close, which provide sheltered accommodation, back onto addresses in Moorland Road.

Another Dorothy Armstrong said she thought she had seen Miss Whiting at the front of the home, which is cordoned off. The 84-year-old, whose address backs on to Heather Close, said: "We are shocked, it is such a shame."

Peter Joynes, 77, of Moorland Road which backs onto Heather Close, did not know the victim but added: "It is tragic, absolutely tragic." Neighbours in Station Street where Miss Whiting lives said she was thought to be attending college and delivered newspapers.

Natalie Newall knew her for a number of years along with the family as Miss Whiting's mother Maureen used to babysit her as a youngster.

The 21-year-old said: "She was outgoing. She would always be on the headphones listening to her music. She would always talk to you. Everybody will be devastated."

The principal of Walsall Adult and Community College described Miss Whiting as a 'cheerful and lively'.

She had attended the college's Hawbush Centre for around three years and had recently completed a diploma.

Principal Jev Bhalla said Susan was preparing to embark on a career in hospitality and catering.

He added: "Susan came to us as a young girl and became more confident every year.

Susan has always been a cheerful and lively girl."