'I can't come to terms with what has happened': Residents' shock at second tragedy in sleepy Staffordshire village
Residents of a Staffordshire village where "nothing really happens" have spoken of their shock following the suspected murder of a woman.
Police were called to Stonnall, on the Lichfield-Walsall border, by ambulance crews at 7.50am on Tuesday (February 25) to reports that a woman had died inside a property on Main Street.
A 53-year-old man, from the Lichfield area, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He remained in police custody on Tuesday afternoon, a Staffordshire Police spokesman said.
The woman’s family are said to be receiving support from specialist officers.
The incident sparked memories for many residents of the last major tragedy to have unfolded in the village back in September of 2023, when Ian Price was attacked by two XL Bully's outside a house on Main Street and later died.
One man who works in the village and asked not to be named, said: "It is a small village. Nothing really happens here so with incidents like this, everyone is firstly like 'what is going on'.
"The last major incident was the XL Bully's - nothing has really happened since then."
Pauline Darby, who has lived in the village for 12 years, described hearing ambulance sirens shortly after 7am on Tuesday.
The 78-year-old said: "All day there were different things coming and then the forensics came and I thought 'there is more to this'.
"I'm really shocked to hear it. I just can't come to terms with what has happened. In 2023 we had the business with the dogs - that was terrible.
"It's a lovely village and on the whole the properties and everything are beautiful. It is so sad. You can't comprehend what is going to happen in these situations."
Fellow Stonnall resident Ashley Harrison was taking his daughter to school when he noticed the blue lights of the ambulance.
The 35-year-old told the Express & Star: "It is just bad isn't it, after the dog attack last year and now we have this as well.
"It is a good, quiet village and everyone knows each other so you feel safe. I was taking my daughter to school saw ambulances here with lights flashing and I thought 'oh what has happened'."
Alan Tidman has lived in the village for 45 years and said he still feels safe there.
The 85-year-old said: "It can happened anywhere. It is just as likely it will happen here as anywhere - the same as a car accident."
Staffordshire Police has created an online portal where people can leave information they may have about the incident.
People can access it by visiting mipp.police.uk/operation/STAFFS25M02-PO1
To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.