Murder victim's friends quizzed over their whereabouts when she died

Jan 29 2012 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

FRIENDS of murdered ex-school teacher Betty Yates are being quizzed by police about where they were when she died.

Officers say they are “surprised” that none of Betty’s pals have come forward to say that they visited her at her home on the outskirts of Bewdley, Worcestershire, on her birthday.

The 77-year-old grandmother was very popular and active in the community.

But mystery surrounds Betty’s movements between when she returned home to Riverscroft cottage after visiting her family to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday December 28 and Wednesday January 4, when her body was found.

She was last seen walking near the riverside on the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday, January 2.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: “She was very sociable, knew a lot of people and was involved in many local groups.

“Yet, surprisingly, we have not found, or heard from, anyone who saw her at home either for her birthday on the 28th, the day she got back, or in the run-up to, and during, New Year including the Bank Holiday Monday.