FOREST TOWN: ‘Murdered’ couple became more reclusive

Police confirmed yesterday that a murder investigation has been launched, after the remains were discovered at 2 Blenheim Close last week, following information to officers from an undisclosed source.

Police also revealed that they believe that the bodies are William and Patricia Wycherley, who lived at the address from 1987 and appeared to ‘vanish’ in 1998.

Mr Wycherley was born in Mansfield in 1912 and returned to the town from the Burnt Oak area of London in 1987 and served in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War, according to a relative who asked to remain anonymous.

It is also understood that Mr Wycherley was one of four children and married Patricia in the 1950s.

A former neighbour has also come forward and described how the couple became more reclusive over time.

Brett Wilson, formerly of Blenheim Close, said: “They were quite a charismatic couple, not eccentric but they kept themselves to themselves.

“They didn’t mix at all - after a while you just used to see them behind the curtains, like shadows.”

The remains of two people were removed and taken away for forensic examination, but a Home Office post-mortem failed to provide conclusive evidence of who the bodies where or how they died.

Speaking yesterday, Det Chief Insp Rob Griffin from the East Midlands Major Crime Unit, confirmed that detectives are treating the discovery as murder and believe the remains are those of Patricia and William, who were known as Pat and Bill.

He said: “The circumstances in which the bodies were found have led us to launch a murder inquiry.

“Neighbours have described the Wycherleys as a reclusive couple who kept themselves to themselves and had few friends.

“They were never reported missing and we can find no trace of them - either living or dead. The discovery in the garden last week may be the reason why. I am confident that the remains discovered are those of William and Patricia.”

On Friday, the Chad exclusively revealed online that neighbours had described how the couple moved to Forest Town from the London area in 1987 and ‘vanished’ in the late 1990s.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0115 844 5012 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Murder probe launched - clickhere

Forensics key to investigation - clickhere

Neighbours speak of reclusive couple - clickhere