Mystery of woman dead in scrapyard

A lonely 64-year-old Springhead woman found comfort in a friendship with a neighbour.

But relatives of David Frost, who lived at the caravan at Woodbrook Farm, took exception to retired post office clerk Jean Bottomley and threw her out, an Oldham inquest was told yesterday.

And it was 21 hours later, on March 1 this year, that divorcee Mrs Bottomley, of Woodbrook Road, was found dead in a near-by scrapyard.

The evidence was being given by Mrs Bottomley’s daughter, Victoria Calverley, of Moor Crescent, Diggle.

Mrs Calverley said her mother had become acquainted with Mr Frost, who lived in a caravan at the near-by farm.

She encouraged her mother to visit Mr Frost, who she saw as another lonely person.

But on an occasion when her mother had stayed overnight at the caravan, she returned to be told by Mr Frost’s relatives that they had “turfed her out”.

She told the inquest how she searched the vicinity for her mother for three hours. Later police and a police helicopter were involved in the hunt for the woman.

But coroner Simon Nelson halted the inquest, saying he needed more information from the police on the search process.

He also wanted more information on the actions of members of the Frost family.

They might, he said, have been a contributory factor and might be called to give evidence.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.