Neighbours express shock amid Bolton murder investigation

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched a murder probe on Monday after finding a body matching the description of Mariann, 55, from Hungary, who had been missing for nine days.

Mariann had last been seen on the morning of Saturday, December 14 on Chorley Old Road.

Police had previously made extensive searches to find Mariann and released a number of appeals.

Since the body has been found, officers say that no formal identification has taken place.

Mariann’s family have been informed and are being supported.

A police car has been parked outside a property on Pedder Street this morning, Tuesday (December 24), in connection with the investigation, a GMP spokesperson has confirmed.

A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

People in the area have expressed their shock.

A Hungarian woman, who did not want to be named, said: “This is sad news. I knew her.

“Every day she’d walk on Chorley Old Road.

“She’s from my country, Hungary.  

“She was a good woman and had a daughter.”

Some residents said they had been questioned by police.

A picture of Mariann released in an appeal (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

A neighbour said: “On Monday, two plain-clothes officers asked to see my CCTV camera footage.

“I didn’t know her, but she was friends with my neighbour.

“He went to the same ESL (English as a Second Language) class as her.”

A resident whose neighbour had been questioned by police added: “This is a bit of a dodgy area at the minute.

“It’s gone downhill recently.

“We’re looking to move.”

A police car outside the address on Pedder Street, Bolton (Image: Newsquest)

An employee at Pharmavon on nearby Avondale Street recalled police arriving on Monday.

She said: “The police were there at around 2pm.

“It didn’t look that serious. They were just floating about.

“It didn’t look like a murder scene.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, from Bolton district, said: “This is a tragic development to our extensive search for Mariann, which we desperately hoped would not be the case so close to Christmas. Our thoughts are with her family at this distressing time.

“We are now continuing to work hard to establish the full circumstances in order to bring answers and seek justice for this woman as our enquiries develop.

“We would like to thank members of the local Bolton community who have spoken to our officers and tried to help us with our search since last week, which included sharing our appeals.”

If you have any information contact police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source – INDIA TV