Police name woman who died in Swindon as murder inquiry continues

Police have named a woman whose death has sparked a murder investigation. Sarah Forrester, 55, a mental health counsellor, died after an incident at a house in Moredon, Swindon, on Friday evening. A 13-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of murder has since been released on bail. Wiltshire police said officers responded to reports of disorder at a property. When they arrived, they found Forrester unresponsive and she was declared dead at the scene. A heightened police presence remains in the area while inquiries continue. In a statement on Sunday, DCI Guy Elkins said: “Our thoughts are with Sarah’s friends and family at this awful time. “An investigation into her death is being led by our major crime investigation team and local residents will continue to see increased policing activity in the area. “A 13-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed and I can confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Sarah’s death. We continue to urge people not to speculate on the incident.” A statement from Swindon-based mental health charity the Kelly Foundation, where Forrester worked, said everyone was “heartbroken at the sudden loss of our lovely Sarah”. It added: “She was completely committed to the charity and devoted to her two young children. “Sarah was pivotal in the work that we do here at the Kelly Foundation and her loss is a hugely traumatic event, not just for us and her colleagues but more especially for her children and family. “Sarah was an incredible person, kind, thoughtful, considerate, caring and funny and she embodied everything that we hope our charity is and can be. “She enjoyed her role with us and we all loved working with her, she will be truly, truly missed. “Out of respect for her family, we will not be making any further comment at this time.” The foundation was set up in memory of Kelly Jobanputra, a BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter who took her own life in 2019. • In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org