This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/7380828.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 'I am innocent' says stepfather | 'I am innocent' says stepfather |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The stepfather of a disabled man found dead in a suitcase has spoken publicly for the first time since he was arrested on suspicion of his murder. | The stepfather of a disabled man found dead in a suitcase has spoken publicly for the first time since he was arrested on suspicion of his murder. |
| Brian Kirby, 36, was held on suspicion of murdering James Hughes, whose body was found in a "decomposed condition". | Brian Kirby, 36, was held on suspicion of murdering James Hughes, whose body was found in a "decomposed condition". |
| Mr Hughes's body was found in the family's garden, less than 48 hours after his mother Heather Wardle, 39, was found dead in nearby woodland. | Mr Hughes's body was found in the family's garden, less than 48 hours after his mother Heather Wardle, 39, was found dead in nearby woodland. |
| Police have said both deaths are still being treated as unexplained. | Police have said both deaths are still being treated as unexplained. |
| In a statement, Mr Kirby, of Redditch, Worcestershire, said he and a 17-year-old youth were innocent of the murder. | In a statement, Mr Kirby, of Redditch, Worcestershire, said he and a 17-year-old youth were innocent of the murder. |
| 'Terrible grief' | 'Terrible grief' |
| The statement, read by Mr Kirby's solicitor, said: "We cannot express in words our feelings on being arrested by the police on suspicion of murder. | The statement, read by Mr Kirby's solicitor, said: "We cannot express in words our feelings on being arrested by the police on suspicion of murder. |
| "Time is a healer but only time will tell if it can heal the deep wounds left by the tragic losses that we have suffered.James Hughes was described as "wonderful and special" | "Time is a healer but only time will tell if it can heal the deep wounds left by the tragic losses that we have suffered.James Hughes was described as "wonderful and special" |
| "We hope memory of the good times with James and Heather will ease our passage through these difficult and traumatic times." | "We hope memory of the good times with James and Heather will ease our passage through these difficult and traumatic times." |
| Mr Kirby said he had co-operated with police at every turn. | Mr Kirby said he had co-operated with police at every turn. |
| "We protested our innocence and the police decided to take no further action and we were released without charge. | "We protested our innocence and the police decided to take no further action and we were released without charge. |
| "This did not remove the grief that we continue to suffer." | "This did not remove the grief that we continue to suffer." |
| Mr Kirby also paid tribute to his partner and his 22-year-old stepson, saying James had been a "wonderful and special son". | |
| He said Ms Wardle's support and care for James were "second to none". | He said Ms Wardle's support and care for James were "second to none". |
| "Her parenting skills were an example for all. We will find it impossible to tell the younger members of the family where mummy is." | "Her parenting skills were an example for all. We will find it impossible to tell the younger members of the family where mummy is." |
| The mother-of-four's body was discovered in undergrowth off Winyates Way in the Church Hill area, less than a mile from where she lived. | The mother-of-four's body was discovered in undergrowth off Winyates Way in the Church Hill area, less than a mile from where she lived. |