Residents' shock as death of 93-year-old woman sparks murder investigation
A 39-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder
Residents of a leafy Stockport suburb have described their shock following the tragic death of a 93-year-old woman this morning (April 16).
Police were called to Altrincham Road in Gatley shortly after 9.30am, and a semi-detached property close to the M60 was cordoned-off.
This evening, it has been confirmed a 39-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder. She remains in police custody.
The property was cordoned off throughout the day, with forensic investigators working both inside and in the adjoining garden. Plain-clothes detectives went from door-to-door to speak to neighbours.
Images taken from the scene show a window to the rear of the property had been smashed.
Dave Gerighty, a resident of Altrincham Road, said he initially was told the incident related to a gas leak.
"There were Cadent vans here doing checks, making the area secure," he said. "We woke up to banging and drilling but there has been building works around here lately so we didn't think anything of it at first."
A neighbour opposite, who did not want to be named, told the M.E.N: "It was all going off when I was leaving just before 11 - police, ambulances and three fire engines."
Due to previous contact between the police and the deceased, GMP said they had made a mandatory referral of this incident to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
"Following an initial assessment by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, all officers remain fully operational," a statement said.
On what he described as "a very difficult day for Gatley", MP for Cheadle Tom Morrison said the incident was 'extremely upsetting', and sent his thoughts to the family and friends of the 93-year-old woman.
In a statement, he said: "No one should ever have to experience such a loss, and I know the whole community will share in the sense of shock and sadness at today’s news.
"I have been in contact with Greater Manchester Police and will continue to support them in any way I can as their investigation continues. They have assured me that this is being treated as an isolated incident, with no wider threat to the public, and a swift arrest has already been made. A full investigation is underway and a scene remains in place.
The MP added: "There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, and I would encourage anyone with questions or information to speak with officers or contact GMP directly."
A spokesperson for GMFRS said, “At around 10am today (April 16), firefighters were called to reports of a gas leak on Altrincham Road in Gatley.
“Three fire engines from Cheadle, Whitehill and Stockport fire stations quickly arrived at the scene. Crews used gas monitoring equipment within the property and found no abnormal readings.
"Checks were also carried out to the neighbouring property as a precautionary measure."
In a statement from police, Detective Inspector Adam Hitchen, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “The priority for our investigation is understanding the full circumstances which led to this tragic incident and getting justice for the victim.
"Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, who are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.
"We recognise that this investigation may cause concern within the local community, but I want to assure the public that this is an isolated incident, with a swift arrest made, and no wider threat.
“You will notice an increased presence in the area today whilst we conduct enquiries, but also across the coming days as the local neighbourhood team look to provide reassurance to those living close by.
“Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact police on 101 quoting the log number 726 of 16/04/25.”
Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. If you can't report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.