Mother killed and daughter left with life-threatening injuries as police make murder arrest
A murder investigation has been launched after a mother was killed and her daughter suffered life-threatening injuries following an attack at a house in Worcester.
Wendy Francis, 61, was described by relatives as “one in a million” following her death on Saturday night.
Mrs Francis was attacked at a home alongside another woman, believed to be her daughter and named locally as Stacey Hill.
Although she has yet to be formally identified, Mrs Francis’s family confirmed her death in a statement released by West Mercia Police on Sunday.
“Wendy will be hugely missed; she was one in a million and much-loved,” said relatives.
Ms Hill, a 38-year-old mother of two, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
A 50-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in police custody.
The semi-detached house where the attack took place was cordoned off on Sunday as forensic officers examined areas outside the property.
Andy Fowler, 62, who has lived on Haresfield Close his entire life, said he had known Mrs Francis since he was a child, describing her and her daughter as “good people”.
“It has always been a good street,” he said.
“I saw the ambulance working on somebody and the police were holding a blanket around it, so I knew that something serious was going on.
“I know them very well. They are very good friends of mine. I have known Wendy since I was a kid. I am very shocked. I can’t believe it. They are all good people.”
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named but is in his 70s, said: “We’ve been here for 25 years and never had any bother, it’s a lovely quiet street.
“We’re shocked, we wouldn’t have expected it.”
Police said there was no wider risk to the community following Mrs Francis’s death.
Det Chief Insp Leighton Harding, of the Major Investigation Unit, said: “I understand that incidents of this nature can be alarming, but I would like to reassure the local community that this was an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public.
“You will notice a higher police presence in the area in the coming days as officers investigate this incident.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who has sadly lost her life.”
