Freda Walker: Man arrested over murder of 86-year-old woman at home in Derbyshire

Town councillor husband, 88, also in critical condition following suspected burglary

Former district councillor Ken Walker with his wife Freda Walker, who died in an attack at their home in Station Road, Langwith Junction, Shirebrook, near Bolsover (Bolsover District Council/PA) (PA Media)

A man has been arrested for the murder of an 86-year-old woman and the attempted murder of her town councillor husband in a suspected burglary.

Freda Walker was pronounced dead at her home in Shirebrook, near Bolsover, on Saturday, while 88-year-old Kenneth Walker was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Police have revealed a 33-year-old man from Warsop, Nottinghamshire, was detained in the early hours of Thursday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Speaking at the scene, Derbyshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Dave Kirby said: “In the early hours of this morning, my officers have arrested a 33-year-old man in Warsop, Nottinghamshire, on suspicion of the murder of Freda Walker and the attempted murder of Ken Walker.

“Freda, of course, aged 86, was killed here on Station Road at Langwith Junction, and Ken, 88, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

“Of course, our thoughts remain with him and friends and family of Ken and Freda.

“This comes after an intense period of investigation and a huge amount of work done by officers and staff of the Derbyshire Constabulary and regional teams working with us.”

Mr Kirby, who previously described the suspected burglary as a “horrific” crime, asked anyone who was in the area between 4.30pm on Friday 14 January and 9am on Saturday 15 January to come forward.

“Yes, we have made an arrest, but of course the investigation carries on, so we’re always looking to add to the information that we’ve got,” he said.

“Please don’t hesitate, come and speak to us, whether you’ve seen something or not, in that time on that street.”

Additional reporting by Press Association