A homeless man taken in by an elderly woman has been charged with her murder after ‘partial human remains’ were found at her home.
Tributes have been paid to ‘lovely little old lady’ Patricia Holland, 83, who was last seen on the night of Saturday July 31.
Officers are said to have been called to reports of a disturbance at her house in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, that evening.
The widowed great grandmother, who was described as ‘vulnerable’ and walked with a walking frame, was reported missing by her family after they could not get hold of her the next day.
As concerns grew for her safety, officers, coastguards and volunteers from Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue launched scoured the surrounding areas for signs of Mrs Holland.
Police revealed on Tuesday that they had arrested her lodger Alan Scott, 41, on suspicion of murder – though Mrs Holland had not yet been found.
He was later released on bail after being questioned by police – but was re-arrested on Saturday.
Norfolk Police confirmed today that ‘partial human remains have been recovered’ following ‘extensive searches’ at Mrs Holland’s home.
Scott has now been charged with the great grandmother’s murder and is due to appear before Norwich Magistrates on Monday.
Police said: ‘Whilst formal coroner’s proceedings will take place in due course, the family of Pat Holland have been informed and they are being supported by specially trained officers.’
Mrs Holland’s family said in a statement released by police: ‘Our beloved Mum, nan and great grandmother has been taken from us in a way which simply cannot be comprehended.
‘This past week has been the worst imaginable for us.
‘Mum spent her days trying to help others, she reached out to local people and wanted to make a difference in any way she could.
‘We respectfully ask to be left in peace at this incredibly difficult time.’
The family had previously said they were ‘desperately worried’ for Mrs Holland as they urged people to come forward if they had information that could ‘help up find our mum and Nanny’.
They said at the time: ‘We are desperately worried for her safety and want more than anything for her make contact or come home.
‘Mum is someone who is out and about daily around Gorleston town socialising and trying to help the people she meets and make their lives better’.
Neighbours said Mrs Holland, a widowed mother-of-four, had taken in the homeless man because she felt sorry for him and wanted to keep him off the streets.
She was said to have regularly befriended homeless people in the town, and was a regular at local church social banks.
Tracy Bessey, 60, who lives opposite, added: ‘She was a lovely sweet little old lady and was quite vibrant for her age.
‘She could only walk a few steps and supported herself with a frame when she was out and about.
‘But she used to get herself to the shops, and would catch a bus or a taxi home. She would always wave to everyone at her gate.’
Mrs Bessey, a passenger assistant for special needs children, said residents had ‘hoped for the best, but feared the worst’ due to the amount of police ‘flooding the area.’
Norfolk Police said last week: ‘Early enquiries lead detectives to believe that this was an isolated incident and as such, there is not any wider threat to the local community.’
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