Mystery as woman found dead on narrow country lane by dogwalker

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A murder probe has been launched after the discovery of a woman’s body by a dogwalker.

The member of the public found the woman in Wast Hills Lane in the village of Hopwood near Birmingham shortly after 6am on Friday.

The victim’s age hasn’t been released and she didn’t have any identification on her when she was found.

Paramedics said it was “immediately clear” nothing could be done to save her as they arrived at the scene.

A Varlins Way resident, who didn’t want to be named, told Birmingham Live: “I walked up Wast Hills earlier this morning, it was open at the time. It’s usually nice around here, so to hear a body has been found is shocking.

“Wast Hill is really busy these days. When we first moved here, only a few cars passed though it. You’d only see about four each day.

“But now it’s like a motorway. Drivers use it as a shortcut to Solihull all the time.”

On being near the scene, they added: “I saw police come into our road today. But they usually patrol the area on a Friday, so I didn’t think anything of it.”

DCI Gerry Smith said: “The woman had no identification on her and we have carried out urgent enquiries to find out who she is. We now believe we have identified her and are working quickly to make contact with her family.

“This is news that no family ever wants to, or should have to, hear and we will ensure they are supported by specially trained officers.

“At this stage it is far too early to speculate as to what has happened but it’s important to say that we do not believe there to be any risk to the local or wider community.

“I don’t underestimate the impact that something like this will have on the local community, so you can expect to see additional officers in the surrounding areas while our investigation continues. We have also been incredibly grateful for the support of the community so far today.

Shaunna Farley, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We were called at 6.07am to reports of an incident on Wast Hill Lane, Kings Norton. Three ambulances and a paramedic officer attended.

“Upon arrival we found a woman. Unfortunately it immediately became clear that nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed deceased at the scene.”

The direct link to the West Mercia MIPP is: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/22HQ19A99-PO1

If you don’t have access to the internet you can also call 101 quoting incident 070i of 27 May.

Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or 0800 555 111.

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