Woman at the centre of a murder investigation after she was found dead at her home in Harborough has been named

A woman at the centre of a murder investigation after she was found dead at her home in Market Harborough has been named.

The 70-year-old woman was named by police as Elaine Geoghegan after a man aged 71 was arrested on Thursday (November 19) on suspicion of killing her.

Elaine was found dead face down in a pond in her back garden in Shelland Close, Market Harborough, on Monday August 12, last year.

Police were called to the scene at 10.40am by the ambulance service after the alarm was raised.

Elaine was sadly declared dead at the scene as paramedics battled to save her that August morning 15 months ago.

A 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 Leicestershire Police.

“Her family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.”

A man of 71 from Market Harborough was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murdering Elaine.

He remains in police custody as he is questioned by detectives investigating Elaine’s tragic death.

Specialist forensic officers and police dog teams descended on Shelland Close, Ashley Way and The Furlongs on Thursday as they combed the area searching for vital clues.

Police have also been carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the neighbourhood asking shocked residents what they might have seen or heard around the time of Elaine’s death.

A passer-by told the Harborough Mail: “It suddenly all kicked off.

“We saw a whole load of police cars drive into Shelland Close and one or two nearby streets.

“I’ve never seen so many police – they were everywhere.

“Some officers had dogs and there were forensics vans too – we knew straight away that something very serious was happening.”

Det Insp Nicole Main, of East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, is the senior investigating officer heading up the inquiry.

“Elaine’s body was found at a time of day when there would have been activity in the area with people going about their daily business.

“Dog walkers might have been out and about or families taking children out for the day during the summer holidays.

“I appreciate 15 months have passed and it will be hard to recall what you were doing that day, but something might have stuck in your mind.

“Were you in the area that day?

“Did you see or hear anything suspicious?

“I am asking for anyone with any information to get in touch,” said Det Insp Main.

“Any detail - no matter how insignificant you think it may be - could help with our investigation.

“Elaine’s family have been left devastated by her death and we are determined to find out exactly what happened to her.”

If you have any information that you believe could assist the police murder 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/