IT has emerged that Betty Yates, the woman named locally as the victim of a murder at isolated cottage near Bewdley was an active member of The University of the Third Age (U3A).
She led a book reading group on Thursday mornings for the Wyre Forest section of the organisation which arranges activities for older people.
Bewdley's Mayor Jan Adams said she knew of Mrs Yates through friends who attended the U3A. She said she believed her to be an educated woman who lived in a fairly isolated area.
She added: "I think it's just really a tragic and horrific incident. It's a fairly close knit community in Bewdley. It seems awful that something so horrific has happened. My thoughts go out to the family and neighbours as when something like this happens near to you it makes you doubly fearful."
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