THE elderly woman whose death has sparked a murder investigation has been named locally as a pillar of the community.

Beryl Purdy, known as 'Bez', who was in her 80s, died following an incident in a property in Broomfield on Monday (March 27).

The grandmother had looked after bookings for the village hall and served as churchwarden at St Mary and All Saints Church near her home in the tiny village.

In a tribute neighbours told the BBC: "Having been lucky enough to have known Bez as a close family friend for over 20 years we were devastated to learn of her passing late on Monday afternoon.

"Bez was a charismatic person and a devoted member of our community having been our church warden for as long as we can remember.

"Our best memories of Bez were having daily chats over the church wall and her unsuspecting dry sense of humour."

The Rev Mary Styles from The Church of St Mary and All Saints said: "The community is in shock and we are all deeply saddened by this incident.

"As a church community we are holding the family of the deceased, as well as the wider community, in our prayers and the church remains available to anyone who feels they need support at this tragic time."

A local resident, who lives about half a mile from the scene, told of how the rural village is usually quiet and hadn’t had a burglary for at least two years. 

The woman, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “It’s such a lovely area, it’s normally so quiet and I don’t think we’ve seen a police car for months.

“The last burglary was probably a couple of years ago and it was nothing like this."

Flowers have been left at the scene, paying tribute to Bez.

One said: "Bez - there are no words. Our thoughts are with you, Peter and your family."

Tragedy had struck Mrs Purdy's family in 2012 when her daughter Alison, known to friends and family as Ali and a constable with Avon and Somerset Police, died at the age of 46 following a horse riding accident

Meanwhile, police say a man in his 30s arrested on suspicion of murder following a burglary has since been sectioned under the Mental Health Act as he was deemed unfit to be interviewed or detained in police custody.