Victim named in murder investigation

Police are appealing for relatives of Joanne Ward to come forward

A woman who died after being found seriously injured inside a property, prompting a murder investigation, has been named by police.

Joanne Ward, 53, died on Herringthorpe Valley Road in Rotherham on 21 June despite efforts from emergency services.

Laurence Ward, 57, also of Herringthorpe Valley Road, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with her murder.

A trial is set to take place in February 2025.

Det Insp Simon Cartwright, of South Yorkshire Police, appealed for people who knew Mrs Ward to get in touch.

"Our inquiries into Joanne Ward's tragic death are continuing at pace and I am now directly appealing to members of Joanne's family, or anyone who personally knew her, to get in touch with us."

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