Remains of elderly hoarder found 'four years after she died'

An elderly woman whose remains were found in the heavily-cluttered home she shared with her daughter may have died four years ago, according to reports.

Police were called to a cottage in Aberaeron, west Wales, on 12 March following concerns about the welfare of two women, named locally as Gaynor Jones and her daughter Valerie.

Valerie, said to be in her 50s, was taken to hospital after being found collapsed at the property.

The remains of her 87-year-old mother were discovered four days later, the South Wales Evening Post reported.

One neighbour said he had not seen the two women for four years despite living virtually next door.

Dyfed Powys Police said they were treating the death as "unexplained".

A force spokeswoman told Sky News: "On Monday 12 March Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the welfare of two women from the Aberaeron area.

"On police attendance at the property one female was taken to hospital.

"Following a search of the property the remains of a body have been found. The death is currently being treated as unexplained."

Ceredigion Coroner's Office said it had been informed of the death but an inquest date had not yet been fixed.

Valerie and Gaynor Jones lived among three adjoining 19th century stone buildings known as the Dolheulog Cottages.

The properties are listed on welshruins.co.uk, which says: "Three cottages, all now empty or ruined.

"Number 1 I believe was lived in until quite recently, the middle one has recently been purchased, the land cleared away and the third and smallest is still filled with personal belongings and is much ruined and damp."