Family of Elaine Geoghegan, who was found dead in her garden in Harborough, thank the public for their support

The family of Elaine Geoghegan, who was found dead in her garden in Harborough, have thanked the public for their support.

A man arrested on suspicion of her murder has been bailed today (Friday).

He was arrested by detectives yesterday (Thursday) after Elaine was found dead in the back garden at her home in Shelland Close, Market Harborough, on Monday August 12, 2019.

The man has been bailed as Elaine’s daughter, Nicola Higgs, paid a poignant tribute to her much-loved mum.

Issuing a statement through the police, Nicola, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their kind messages at this time.

“Our Mum and the children’s Nan is still very sadly missed by us every day and we kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Police were called at 12.17pm that August day 15 months ago by the ambulance service after she was found face down in a pond.

Elaine, a mother-of-two and a grandmother, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A detailed post mortem examination concluded that the cause of her death was “unexplained”.

“From enquiries carried out since Elaine’s death it has been deemed appropriate to launch a murder investigation,” said police.

“Yesterday (Thursday 19 November) a man, 71, from Market Harborough was arrested on suspicion of murder – he has since been bailed.”

Officers are carrying out intensive enquiries in the Shelland Close area of Market Harborough as the investigation into Elaine’s death continues.

Police are also asking residents about what they might have seen or heard around the time of the popular pensioner’s death as specialist officers support her devastated family.

Det Insp Nicole Main, of East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, is leading the highly-complex murder inquiry codenamed Operation Kilter.

“Our investigation remains ongoing.

“At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

“But we encourage anyone with information about what happened that day in August last year to come forward.

“I know 15 months is a long time and it is hard to remember what you might have been doing that day,” said Det Insp Main.

But, for the sake of Elaine’s devastated family, I am asking you to cast your mind back.

“Did you see or hear anything unusual that day?

“Did you see Elaine that morning?

“Any information - no matter how insignificant you think it may be - could prove vital to our investigation.

“If you have any information that you believe could assist the investigation please call 101 quoting Operation Kilter.”

You can also report online by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime