DETECTIVES have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a body in a Prestwich park.
A cordon has been set up around the body of an elderly woman in Drinkwater Park and forensic teams are working to establish how she died. The body, discovered by a member of the public at 11.30am today, is believed to be that of 73-year-old Edyth Beryl Burney who has been missing from her home in the St Mary's area since last Thursday evening.
Detective Inspector Bill Beddows from Bury CID said the woman's body had not been formally identified but confirmed her description and clothing she wore at the time of her disappearance were similar to those of Mrs Burney.
He added: "We are treating this death as suspicious unless the forensic examinations and post mortem prove otherwise."
Bury police launched a borough-wide appeal to locate Mrs Burney less than 24 hours after she failed to return home. Her family have been informed of the discovery.
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