Police charge man, 29, with murder after ‘beautiful’ mother-of-four, 27, is found dead in a house

Police have charged a 29-year-old man with murder after a ‘beautiful’ mother of four was found dead in a house on Thursday morning.

Russell Norman James Marsh of Shotton, North Wales will appear before magistrates on Monday.

He was charged after 27-year-old Jade Ward died following an incident on Thursday in a house found in the same area Marsh lives.

A statement from North Wales Police said: ‘Officers investigating an incident in Shotton in the early hours of Thursday, in which 27-year-old Jade Ward died, have charged a man with murder.

‘Russell Norman James Marsh, 29, has been remanded in custody and will appear before magistrates on Monday.’

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Salisbury-Jones added: ‘I would like to thank the local community for all the valuable assistance they have provided.

‘If anyone has any information that will help us in our investigation, they should contact us via our live webchat or on 101, quoting reference 21000594238.’

Scores of floral tributes, balloons, photographs, written messages, candles and teddies were left on the pavement yards from the semi where Co-op worker Ms Ward was found dead on Thursday morning. 

Police crime scene investigators were at a taped-off house in Chevrons Road, Shotton, and a blue and white tent was in the front garden. It is believed Jade lived with her mother and had been married. 

Jade’s sister Taylor Wesley has now set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised more than £3,400 for Jade’s children. 

‘Our beautiful Jade was sadly taken from us on the 26th august 2021 in such a cruel and sad way! Our lives will never be the same without you baby girl a piece of us all went with you Jade,’ she wrote on the page.  

Zack Robinson, her cousin, said she had four sons. He said: ‘I am lost for words. It’s a piece of everybody in the community who has gone. It will never be the same without her.’ 

Taylor Wesley said: ‘She had four beautiful boys. It’s very, very tragic. No-one knows much at the moment about what happened.

‘We were best mates. She was my soul sister. We used to go on day trips. There was never a day we didn’t see each other. She had four kids and I have four as well.

‘She was a much-loved member of the community, a devoted mother who lived and breathed for her children and worked part-time.

‘There’s a feeling of total shock in the local area. We are doing a balloon release tomorrow.’

Kennedy Plant added: ‘There was always a smile on the face, always so happy. She loved life.’ 

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Salisbury-Jones said: ‘We would like to reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.  

‘Specially trained officers are supporting the family of the deceased.’

Taylor said they wished to raise money for Jade’s sons to help them ‘have the best start’ following the tragedy and ‘give them the best Christmas’.

She added that a balloon release would be held on Chevrons Road at 3pm on Saturday, with everybody welcome to attend and pay their respects – and said people could bring balloons of any bright colour to reflect Jade’s ‘bright personality’. 

A North Wales police spokeswoman said: ‘Shortly before 9.20am this morning, we were made aware of an incident at a property on Chevrons Road, Shotton.

‘A 27-year-old woman was sadly found deceased at the scene. A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and an investigation is underway.’