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'Lovely' grandmother, 86, died in her home as murder police probe 'burglary'

Church warden Beryl Purdy died at her home in the village of Broomfield, Somerset, earlier this week.

Ross McGuinness
Updated ·3-min read
Beryl Purdy died in her home in Broomfield, Somerset, on Monday. (SWNS)
Beryl Purdy died in her home in Broomfield, Somerset, on Monday. (SWNS)

The family of an 86-year-old woman who died in her home have paid tribute to her as a man suspected of murdering her is held in a mental health unit.

Grandmother and church warden Beryl Purdy, known as Bez, died earlier this week at her home in the village of Broomfield, near Bridgwater, Somerset.

Police are investigating whether she died following a suspected burglary at her home.

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has been sectioned and transferred to a secure mental health unit, Avon and Somerset Police said.

FILE PHOTO - A police cordon on the scene in Broomfield, Bridgwater,where a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman in her 80s. March 29 2023. See SWNS story SWMRtribute. The family of ‘caring and loved’ grandmother Beryl Purdy killed last week during a suspected burglary have paid tribute to her. Church warden Beryl - known as Bez - died earlier this week at her home in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, Somerset. A murder investigation was launched following the 86-year-old's death which is being led by the Major Crime Investigation Team. In a tribute the family said: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.
Forensic workers in Broomfield, Somerset, where Beryl Purdy, 86, died. (SWNS)
FILE PHOTO - A police cordon on the scene in Broomfield, Bridgwater,where a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman in her 80s. March 29 2023. See SWNS story SWMRtribute. The family of ‘caring and loved’ grandmother Beryl Purdy killed last week during a suspected burglary have paid tribute to her. Church warden Beryl - known as Bez - died earlier this week at her home in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, Somerset. A murder investigation was launched following the 86-year-old's death which is being led by the Major Crime Investigation Team. In a tribute the family said: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.
A police cordon at the scene in Broomfield, Somerset, where a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of Beryl Purdy, 86. (SWNS)

Ms Purdy looked after bookings for the village hall and was church warden at St Mary's and All Saints Church close to her home.

In a statement on Friday, Ms Purdy's family said: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.

“Bez was a caring person who would help anyone in need and was very much part of the village, being a church warden for 20 years.

“We will miss her very much and we are all struggling to understand why this happened to such a lovely person.”

Avon and Somerset Police said: "All our thoughts continue to be with Beryl’s family during this incredibly difficult time.

"The family continues to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers.

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FILE PHOTO - Scenes of crime officers and floral tributes at the murder in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, March 29 2023. See SWNS story SWMRtribute. The family of ‘caring and loved’ grandmother Beryl Purdy killed last week during a suspected burglary have paid tribute to her. Church warden Beryl - known as Bez - died earlier this week at her home in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, Somerset. A murder investigation was launched following the 86-year-old's death which is being led by the Major Crime Investigation Team. In a tribute the family said: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.
Tributes left to Beryl Purdy, 86, in Broomfield, Somerset. (SWNS)

"A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been sectioned and transferred to a secure mental health unit while enquiries continue."

Police were called to Ms Purdy's home at about 5.45pm on Monday following a report of a burglary in progress.

Officers found Ms Purdy badly injured and despite their efforts and those of paramedics, she died at the scene.

The man in his 30s was arrested at about 8.40pm on Monday in the Broomfield area with the assistance of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) and dog unit.

FILE PHOTO - A police cordon on the scene in Broomfield, Bridgwater,where a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman in her 80s. March 29 2023. See SWNS story SWMRtribute. The family of ‘caring and loved’ grandmother Beryl Purdy killed last week during a suspected burglary have paid tribute to her. Church warden Beryl - known as Bez - died earlier this week at her home in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, Somerset. A murder investigation was launched following the 86-year-old's death which is being led by the Major Crime Investigation Team. In a tribute the family said: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.
A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has been sectioned and is being held in a mental health unit. (SWNS)

Police said he was assessed by a mental health professional and not deemed fit for interview or to be detained in police custody.

He was sectioned under section two of the Mental Health Act and transferred to the mental health unit.

Avon and Somerset Police neighbourhood Chief Inspector Justin French said: “We understand that events like this, while rare, may cause alarm and distress in the community.

"We would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to our officers, who will be out on high-visibility patrols of the area, with any concerns and questions they may have."

Avon and Somerset Police said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concerning "the action taken following a missing person report made earlier in the day".