COPS have launched a murder inquiry after a woman’s body was found in a layby in the Midlands.

The body of the woman was discovered at around 2.45am on Monday in Perton, on the main road between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth.

The alleged victim has not yet been formally identified but Staffordshire Police are treating her death as murder.

Detectives are still trying to determine exactly how she died and cops have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Det Ch Insp Dan Ison, leading the inquiry, said: "We’re working on a number of lines of enquiry, but it’s critical that we identify her as soon as possible and we’re appealing for the public’s help.

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES

"We’re also keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Bridgnorth Road and may have seen anything between 2am and 3am today."

Graham Turner, 89, who lives nearby, told The Express and Star: "It is an awful thing to happen. Up there as well, it makes you wonder what happened.

"The police are taking it very seriously. It's the first thing to happen round here. It's been a nice area to live."

James Cruickshank, 78, who lives near the scene added: "We saw the road closed and knew we weren't getting out. It's quite upsetting to hear they have found a body."

And Nicola McGrath, 44, said: "It's very sad, I feel for the family. You don't want it on your doorstep but it is bad it can happen anywhere."

'SHOCKING AND TERRIBLE'

Another local resident, added: "You don't hear about that round here. It's a main road and there is no real access from that road. It's absolutely shocking and terrible."

After the body was discovered paramedics and a trauma doctor rushed to the layby but the woman was confirmed dead at the scene.

One resident, who lives near Perton and asked not to be named, told the paper: "I travelled down Bridgnorth Road yesterday [Sunday] evening and all seemed normal.

"It's just so terribly sad to hear something has happened like this so close to home.

"My thoughts are with the person's family, it is such a shock."

'MURDER'

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Detectives are treating a death reported in south Staffordshire this morning as murder.

"A body – believed to be that of a woman – was found early this morning in a layby in Bridgnorth Road in Perton.

"The circumstances around her death are not yet understood and detectives are working to identify her.

"We’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Bridgnorth Road and may have seen anything between 2am and 3am today."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called to an incident at the junction of Jenny Walkers Lane and Bridgnorth Road at 2.49am on Monday, one ambulance, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

"On arrival we discovered one patient, who sadly could not be saved and they were confirmed dead at the scene."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police online, on social media or by calling 101 quoting incident number 42 of the August 9.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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