Detectives continuing to probe 'suspicious circumstances' as mum found dead outside school

Detectives are continuing to probe 'suspicious circumstances' surrounding the death of a mum whose body was tragically found outside a school in the early hours of Monday (July 17)

Emergency services were called to a footpath beside New Barn Lane, in Rochdale, at around 4.30am on Monday to reports of a concern for the welfare of a person. Tragically, a woman, aged in her 40s, was found dead at the scene.

An investigation was launched with Greater Manchester Police now believing her death to be suspicious. The Manchester Evening News also understands detectives are trying to ascertain how the woman, who was a mum, ended up on the footpath, near Ashfield Valley Primary School and the Sandbrook Park shopping centre.

Join our WhatsAp p Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link.

In an update, Rochdale District Commander Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter was keen to stress that 'the circumstances in which the lady was found do not relate to that area and the school.'

Following the shocking discovery on Monday, police taped off an area of footpath near New Barn Lane and remained at the scene throughout the day, with two forensic tents erected within the cordon and forensics conducting investigations.

Residents described the incident as 'frightening', as one person told the M.E.N: "I'm really shocked and worried. I've got a 10-year-old daughter who plays around there and I send her down that path on her own to the arcade. It's a popular footpath to the retail park but I'm really scared at the idea of her walking down there now."

No arrests have been made and at present and Greater Manchester Police say they are keeping an 'open mind' and exploring 'all lines of enquiry' as they continue to appeal for any