Overview

• A 49-year-old man remains in custody after Greater Manchester Police launched a murder inquiry into the death of 72-year-old Gwyneth Carter at her Macclesfield home on July 18.
• Avon and Somerset Police opened a separate investigation on July 22 when a woman in her 80s was found dead in Westonzoyland and a man in his 60s was arrested.
• A Home Office post-mortem confirmed Carter died from multiple head and neck injuries, and a forensic examination has been scheduled for the Somerset case.
• Investigators have appealed for doorbell, CCTV and dashcam footage to help piece together the victims’ final movements.
• Detective teams from both forces are leading forensic work and have reassured residents of no increased public risk while supporting the victims’ families.