Lancashire Police launch murder investigation after woman found dead with multiple injuries

Officers were called out to Redcar Road, Blackpool at 10:56am on Thursday (September 21st) by the North West Ambulance Service, which had reported an unexpected death.

When officers arrived, they found a deceased woman in her 50s who has now been identified as Alison Dodds. The post mortem revealed that she suffered multiple injuries, with the authorities now treating her death as suspicious and asking for the public’s help with their enquiries.

“First and foremost, my thoughts are with Alison’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” said Detective Chief Inspector Jane Webb of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team. “This is a tragic case, but our investigation team are determined to find out the full circumstances surrounding her death.

“We’d ask that anyone who may have information that could be useful to the investigation, please contact us as soon as possible,” DCI Webb said. “We appreciate that this incident will have caused concern in the community and so I would like to reassure people that we have stepped up patrols in the area, and you can expect to see a visible police presence for some time.

"If you have any concerns or information, please approach an officer.”

The murder investigation comes off the back of other recent incidents in the Gynn Square area, with police having also found a man in his 50s found dead inside a flat. Three police cars, including a crime scene investigation team, and a private ambulance were seen close to Warbreck Hill last Thursday September 21 but, following police investigations, officers now believe his death was non suspicious.

There was also extensive recent police and forensic activity in the Seafield Road area in connection with the murder of Eddie Forrester.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anything or have captured footage of anything suspicious on Redcar Road between 11pm September 20 and 10:45am on September 21. Anyone with information is asked to email [email protected] or call 101, quoting log 400 of September 21, 2023.