NEIGHBOURS have paid tribute to a church warden who was found strangled to death at her farmhouse – days after helping out at a Christmas service.
Julia Thurgarland, 70, was discovered by paramedics at her home, on Friday afternoon.
Her husband, Peter Thurgarland, was also there and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Mrs Thurgarland was a warden at St Radegund Church in Maplebeck, near Newark. Neighbours said she had been helping out at a service at another nearby church over Christmas.
A neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said the couple had moved to the area around 40 years ago.
He said: "They were really nice people; everyone around here is completely shocked by what has happened.
"I last saw her a couple of weeks ago. I know some people said she was helping out at a local church service on Christmas Eve. She loved helping at things like that. It is hard to believe that this has happened.
"You hear about these kind of things happening, but never expect it where you live."
The Reverend Richard Seymour-Whiteley, priest-in-charge of the Northern Lights cluster of churches, including St Radegund, said: "There has been a tragic incident in which our church warden at Maplebeck, Julia Thurgarland, has died and her husband is in hospital.
"Our prayers are with her family, along with all those who knew Julia well."
Councillor Bruce Laughton, who represents Maplebeck at Notts County Council, said: "This is an awful tragedy. I met them a couple of times, but didn't know them too well. But the village is a close-knit community. It will be stunned by what has happened."
Neighbour Diane Raine, 53, said: "It is shocking. I saw police arrive on Friday. An air ambulance came as well."
Police were alerted by paramedics, who called at the house, Low Farm, Maplebeck, at around 3.50pm on Friday.
A post-mortem examination on Saturday revealed Mrs Thurgarland had died as a result of being strangled.
Police have now finished their investigations at the property, and have said they are "quite certain" the incident was an isolated one.
Detectives say they have arrested a 71-year-old man on suspicion of murder, but have yet to question him. He will be questioned when he is deemed fit enough, police said. Police have not named him. Detective Chief Inspector Tony Heydon, who is leading the investigation, said: "Following inquiries at the scene and in the local area, we are satisfied that this was an isolated incident.
"Despite the arrest I am still appealing to anyone with any information to contact us."
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the incident room on 0115 844 6913 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
