AN inquest has been opened into the suspected murder of an elderly woman in Wirral.

Myra Thompson, 90, was found dead at her house on Bolde Way, Spital, on April 23 this year.

Jayne Hill, of Norwich Drive, Upton, was subsequently charged with murdering the pensioner, as well as stealing £60 from her on April 12, two weeks before her body was found.

Hill appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on April 30, where the 51-year-old was remanded in custody at HMP Styal Prison ahead of a trial on October 21 later this year.

On Thursday, May 9, an inquest opened at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool with Area Coroner, Anita Bhardwaj, suspending proceedings pending the outcome of the crown court trial.

Ms Bhardwaj registered Mrs Thompson's cause of death as mechanical asphyxia, caused when an object or a physical force prevents breathing.

A 48-year-old man from the Wirral area, who was also arrested in connection with Mrs Thompson's death, was released with no further action to be taken in relation to her murder, although he remains under investigation in relation to the £60 theft.

Merseyside Police said the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as officers had previously been investigating the theft.