Man arrested over teacher murder (From Times Series)

Man arrested over teacher murder

3:31pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a retired schoolteacher.

Betty Yates, 77, was found stabbed to death at the foot of her stairs in her riverside cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire, last month.

A man, who is not local to the area, was arrested at his home on Thursday night.

He was arrested after being interviewed in relation to the murder investigation.

The man was questioned at a police station in North Worcestershire but has now been released on police bail pending further inquiries, a police spokesperson said.

The 77-year-old's body was found at her remote property on January 4. She is believed to have been killed two days earlier.

Her son and daughter made an emotional appeal last month for help to bring their mother's killer to justice.

Hazel Costello, along with brother David Yates, said: "We are completely bewildered as to who could carry out such a savage attack on our mother. That this should have happened in her home makes this even more difficult to bear."

Mrs Costello added: "This has been such a hard time for us - to lose your mum is always dreadful but to lose your mum like this when you worry constantly about how frightened she might have been or what she might have felt during such a vicious attack is like a nightmare.

"Please, if you know anything about this can you come forward. If you have done this then please hand yourselves in. And if you are protecting somebody, please think about how we are hurting and tell the police what you know."