James seen crying after mother's death
Tragic "lost boy" James Hughes was seen in tears on the night his mother's body was found, a neighbour said today.Tragic "lost boy" James Hughes was seen in tears on the night his mother's body was found, a neighbour said today. See also:Pair are quizzed on death of man Nathan Conway, aged 20, who lives in the next close, said: "I saw him on the night his mother was found. He was crying and playing his music on his phone. It's such a shock." James's body was found in a house in the same street as his home - some reports even claimed it was in the back garden of his own house. His body was found 48 hours after his mother Heather Wardle, aged 39, was found dead at the base of a tree. She had a ligature around her neck. James, who was severely handicapped, and his mother had been reported missing on Saturday. Miss Wardle's partner described her as a "brilliant mother" who doted on her children. Read more in the Express & Star
Tragic "lost boy" James Hughes was seen in tears on the night his mother's body was found, a neighbour said today.
See also:Pair are quizzed on death of man
Nathan Conway, aged 20, who lives in the next close, said: "I saw him on the night his mother was found. He was crying and playing his music on his phone. It's such a shock."
James's body was found in a house in the same street as his home - some reports even claimed it was in the back garden of his own house.
His body was found 48 hours after his mother Heather Wardle, aged 39, was found dead at the base of a tree.
She had a ligature around her neck.
James, who was severely handicapped, and his mother had been reported missing on Saturday.
Miss Wardle's partner described her as a "brilliant mother" who doted on her children.Brian Kirby, aged 36, of Loxley Close, Redditch, said he was devastated following the discovery of her body in scrubland off Winyates Way on Monday night.
Their relationship began after she moved next door to his sister in the Church Hill area of Redditch almost 16 years ago. They were engaged within a year.
Mr Kirby described Mis Wardle as a chatty, bubbly person.
He said she was a brilliant mother to her children James, aged 22, Daniel, 17, Callum, eight and Luke, six.
"Heather was very houseproud and, despite the demands placed on her in looking after James around the clock, always ensured that all of her children were clean and well clothed.
"Her priorities were the family and the house. She was an excellent mother and really lovely," he added.
Mr Kirby, a toolroom supervisor for an automotive firm, told how the family often went on days out with two close friends, enjoying visits to theme parks such as Alton Towers.
When James and Daniel were of school age, Miss Wardle had worked as a press operator for an engineering firm at Batchley, Redditch, but left when she became pregnant with Callum. Mr Kirby said the children had all been devastated when he broke the news of her death. "It's heartbreaking," he added.
