Shelley Saxton-Cooper: Woman who died in house fire with husband was murdered, police say

Officers believe Saxton-Cooper was wounded before the house was destroyed by an explosion and fire

A 45-year-old woman found dead with her husband after an explosion at their home was murdered, police said.

Officers believe Shelley Saxton-Cooper was wounded before the house was destroyed by an explosion and fire early on 20 September.

Forensic science teams are working to piece together the cause of the explosion and fire at the house in Riddings, Derbyshire, in which her husband, Simon Saxton-Cooper, also died.

Chief Superintendent Sunita Gamblin, of Derbyshire Police, said: “We believe that Shelley... was wounded before the explosion and fire and we are treating her death as murder. We’re still unable to say how either she or her husband died as post-mortem examinations haven’t been completed. We don’t believe, at this time, that anyone else is involved.”

Officers had said previously they did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.