Overview
- Police and ambulance crews were called to a flat above The Greyhound on Parkgate after a 9.15pm call on Wednesday, and a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Durham Constabulary has launched a formal murder investigation and specialist crime-scene investigators continue to examine the flat under a cordon that is expected to remain for some time.
- Two men have been arrested and are in custody: a 44-year-old on suspicion of murder and a 27-year-old on suspicion of assisting an offender.
- Formal identification of the deceased has not yet taken place and police are asking anyone with information to call 101 quoting incident 521 of September 23 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
- Local residents reported a large emergency response and floral tributes have been left outside the pub, and investigators say forensic work and inquiries will determine next steps including identification and potential charges.