Pensioner, 79, is arrested for murder after woman in her 50s is shot dead at home

A 79-year-old pensioner has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was shot dead at home in a leafy residential street in Wirral, Merseyside.

Emergency services were called to an address in Moreton, Merseyside, at around 1.45am on Sunday to a report that a woman in her 50s had been found inside.

Police said she was pronounced dead at the scene with an injury to her chest consistent with a gunshot wound.

The man, who is known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody for questioning.

A cordon has been set up at the address on Meadowbrook Road and officers have been providing reassurance to residents.

The popular residential road, where the average cost of a home is £230,000, is just over a mile away from beautiful fishing lakes and just two-and-a-half miles from Meols Beach, Wirral. 

Meadowbrook Road, which also has quick access to motorway links to Liverpool and Chester, is 0.9 miles from Moreton train station and less than a mile away from seven different primary schools.

Forensic examinations, CCTV and house-to house-enquiries are also being carried out in the area. 

Chief Inspector Derek Riley, of Merseyside Police, said: ‘Although a man has been arrested following the tragic death of this woman in Moreton we are still in the very early stages of our investigation and enquiries into the incident are still ongoing in the area. 

Emergency services were called to an address in Moreton, Merseyside, at around 1.45am on Sunday to a report that a woman in her 50s had been found inside

‘I would ask anyone who was in the area of Meadowbrook Road in the very early hours of this morning who saw or heard anything or thinks they have captured anything significant on their doorbell camera or dashcam to contact us as a matter of urgency.

‘I would also encourage anyone who has any other information which they believe could assist with our investigation to get in touch as this could be vital to our enquiries.’

Anyone with any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with log 096 of Sunday 30 October.

‘You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at