Villagers have told of their shock after the wife of a company director was fatally attacked in her home in the early hours of the morning.
The woman, named locally as Claire Orrey, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene after armed police descended on her linked detached home, which overlooks allotments.
Neighbours said nurse Mrs Orrey’s husband, Steve, 56, who runs his own security business, was later seen being helped out of the house with an apparent head injury following the incident early on Sunday.
West Mercia Police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder.
The Orreys have lived at the property in Admaston, on the edge of Telford, Shropshire, for 25 years and were described as ‘lovely people’ by their neighbours.
Claire Orrey, 58, (pictured) was pronounced dead at her home in Admaston, on the edge of Telford, after armed police descended on her linked detached home
One man living opposite said he was woken just after 5am to the sound of officers shouting: ‘Armed police – open the door’ and ‘come out with your hands up’.
Officers from West Mercia Police then broke through the front door, he said.
Another neighbour said of the Orreys, who have a grown up son and daughter, said: ‘They always seemed to be in good spirits and would say “hello”.
‘They just seemed a normal happy couple.’
He added: ‘It’s so unusual for something like this to happen around here. The only noise we usually hear is from the birds.’
Mrs Orrey worked as a nurse at Rylands nursing and residential home in Newport, Shropshire.
A colleague said: ‘Claire had such a warm heart, she was very, very caring. I can’t get the sound of her voice out of my head.’
She said Mrs Orrey had been due on shift on Sunday and managers had tried to contact her, but were unable to get through.
‘We were told that she had been murdered on Sunday evening’, she added.
Jacqueline Orrey, Mrs Orrey’s sister-in-law, told the Mail the victim was ‘a fantastic person’, adding: ‘She was just lovely’.
Mrs Orrey, of Telford, she had been informed of the tragedy by her niece, but said it was too soon to talk any further about the tragedy.
It is understood Mr Orrey, was discharged from hospital on Sunday night.
Mrs Orrey’s husband, Steve, 56, was later seen being helped out of the house (pictured) with an apparent head injury following the incident early on Sunday
West Mercia Police said officers were called to the Admaston cul-de-sac at 5am following reports of a disturbance.
Armed officers attended along with colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service.
A spokesman said: ‘On arrival it was found that the woman had sustained serious injuries and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was found injured at the address with serious injuries.
‘A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.’
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Garner added: ‘This is a shocking incident and our thoughts go out to the family of the woman who lost her life.
‘I understand that incidents of this nature can be alarming, but would like to reassure the local community that this is an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public.
‘Our officers remain at the scene and you may see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days as our investigation continues.’
West Mercia Police confirmed the suspect was arrested at the scene.
A spokesman added: ‘The person remains in custody, and the man who was injured has now been discharged from hospital.’
DailyMail
