John
03-24-2010, 05:50 PM
A murder inquiry has been launched after a postmistress was found dead in a North Yorkshire village.
Dianne Garbutt, 40, was found with serious head injuries by her husband Robin on Tuesday morning.
Mr Garbutt dialled 999 at 8.38am to say he'd discovered his wife's body in the upstairs living quarters of the post office and shop run by the couple in the centre of Melsonby near Scotch Corner.
North Yorkshire Police announced 12 hours later they had launched a murder inquiry and said Mrs Garbutt had died during a robbery.
A day after her body was discovered, the picturesque village was sealed off by officers who stopped cars and pedestrians to ask if anyone had seen anything suspicious.
At a news conference, the detective leading the investigation said his officers were still talking to Mr Garbutt, who said he was confronted by an armed intruder who told him: "We've got your wife."
Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw said Mr Garbutt had opened the shop on Tuesday at his usual time of 4.30am and was threatened by a man shortly after opening the post office counter at 8.30am.
Det Supt Raw said a masked raider, armed with a gun, came from the upstairs living premises.
"He was carrying a firearm at his side. The man threatened Mr Garbutt, saying 'We've got your wife.'," he said.
"The male then made off with a significant amount of money from the safe which he had placed in a black holdall."
A post mortem has been conducted, but the police will not say what weapon was used in the murder, or what time Mrs Garbutt is believed to have died.
They have confirmed that she was not shot, and say they want to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious between 4am and 9am.
Neighbour Linda Ling, who worked part time for Mr and Mrs Garbutt, described them as a lovely couple.
"I feel very sorry for Robin, I don't know how he'll go on without her," she told Sky News.
Mrs Ling said she had seen or heard anything to suggest there had been a disturbance.
"I opened my curtains around 8.15 and saw the kids waiting for the bus, went to make my bed, then saw the ambulance," she added.
Det Supt Raw said North Yorkshire Police drew a blank after another armed raid on the same post office at the same time of the morning one year and one week ago.
An extensive investigation was conducted after Mr Garbutt was robbed of cash and stamps by two hooded males at 8.30am on Tuesday March 17 last year.
No arrests were made over that incident, but the police have revealed they recovered an imitation firearm.
Detectives will not say where the imitation gun was found, or whether any link was being made between the murder and the previous robbery.
William Nixon, who runs the garage next door, said villagers were shocked the last time the post office was raided.
"This time it's resulted in a loss of life, it's terrible," he said.
Dianne Garbutt, 40, was found with serious head injuries by her husband Robin on Tuesday morning.
Mr Garbutt dialled 999 at 8.38am to say he'd discovered his wife's body in the upstairs living quarters of the post office and shop run by the couple in the centre of Melsonby near Scotch Corner.
North Yorkshire Police announced 12 hours later they had launched a murder inquiry and said Mrs Garbutt had died during a robbery.
A day after her body was discovered, the picturesque village was sealed off by officers who stopped cars and pedestrians to ask if anyone had seen anything suspicious.
At a news conference, the detective leading the investigation said his officers were still talking to Mr Garbutt, who said he was confronted by an armed intruder who told him: "We've got your wife."
Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw said Mr Garbutt had opened the shop on Tuesday at his usual time of 4.30am and was threatened by a man shortly after opening the post office counter at 8.30am.
Det Supt Raw said a masked raider, armed with a gun, came from the upstairs living premises.
"He was carrying a firearm at his side. The man threatened Mr Garbutt, saying 'We've got your wife.'," he said.
"The male then made off with a significant amount of money from the safe which he had placed in a black holdall."
A post mortem has been conducted, but the police will not say what weapon was used in the murder, or what time Mrs Garbutt is believed to have died.
They have confirmed that she was not shot, and say they want to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious between 4am and 9am.
Neighbour Linda Ling, who worked part time for Mr and Mrs Garbutt, described them as a lovely couple.
"I feel very sorry for Robin, I don't know how he'll go on without her," she told Sky News.
Mrs Ling said she had seen or heard anything to suggest there had been a disturbance.
"I opened my curtains around 8.15 and saw the kids waiting for the bus, went to make my bed, then saw the ambulance," she added.
Det Supt Raw said North Yorkshire Police drew a blank after another armed raid on the same post office at the same time of the morning one year and one week ago.
An extensive investigation was conducted after Mr Garbutt was robbed of cash and stamps by two hooded males at 8.30am on Tuesday March 17 last year.
No arrests were made over that incident, but the police have revealed they recovered an imitation firearm.
Detectives will not say where the imitation gun was found, or whether any link was being made between the murder and the previous robbery.
William Nixon, who runs the garage next door, said villagers were shocked the last time the post office was raided.
"This time it's resulted in a loss of life, it's terrible," he said.