Merseyside Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of an elderly woman was found in Stanley Park, Liverpool, on Friday afternoon. A member of the public discovered her in the park's walled garden area shortly before 5.30pm, and preliminary enquiries suggest she may have lain there for several weeks. The woman has not yet been identified, and officers say the case is likely to unsettle local residents who describe the park as a safe, popular community spot.

Police believe the woman was white, in her 70s, around 5ft 2in tall, of small build, with strawberry blonde hair, and was wearing a distinctive cerise pink Nike T-shirt when found. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said checks against missing persons reports had so far failed to identify her, and appealed to dog walkers and park users to come forward with any information. A post-mortem has been carried out but its results withheld for investigative reasons, and a cordon and mobile police station remain in place while CCTV, witness and forensic enquiries continue. The public can contact Merseyside Police via social media, online, or on 101 (reference 26000706383), or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.