Murder victim Susan Crane - post mortem results and mother's tribute

Detectives investigating the murder of Susan Crane of Grosvenor Street in Heywood have released the results of a post mortem examination.

The examination concluded yesterday, Monday 20 February 2006, and revealed Susan died from strangulation.

Susan's body was discovered after a series of incidents on Bury Old Road and Grosvenor Street on Saturday 18 February 2006.

At approximately 9.30pm officers were called to Bury Old Road following reports of a domestic incident at a house. Officers attended and found a 50-year-old man with a stab wound to his neck. He was taken to Fairfield Hospital for treatment. He was discharged on Monday 20 February 2006. A 52-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman were also taken to hospital suffering from leg injuries during the same incident. It is believed a car was driven at them shortly after the 50-year-old man had been stabbed. They both required treatment at Fairfield Hospital but were discharged on the same night.

Shortly after this incident officers were called to a house on Grosvenor Street where they found a 69-year-old woman with several stab wounds to her body. She was taken to Fairfield Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

Susan Crane's body was subsequently discovered inside a different house on Grosvenor Street.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on Grosvenor Street on suspicion of murder and is still being questioned. Detectives obtained a warrant of further detention at approximately 10am on Monday 20 February to allow them to continue to question the man for a further 36 hours.

Susan's mother, Mrs Liz Jennings, has paid tribute to her daughter:

"My daughter was a fun loving and caring person who I admit had endured her own share of problems. However she will be sadly missed by all her family and did not deserve what happened to her.

"Susan is the mother of two children and this is a tragedy for all the family. We all want justice to be done for Susan."