A MURDERED woman whose body was found in a house in Southport had been hidden in a freezer for seven months, police revealed last night.

Merseyside officers named the 62-year-old as Barbara Ryan and said she had been dead since April.

Her body was discovered on November 28 when Merseyside police were called out to Norwood Crescent, where they found 45-year-old Gavin Tomlinson dead.

It is suspected that Mr Tomlinson murdered the victim, thought to be his former partner, and hid her in the freezer for months.

He continued to live at the address, but was found dead two weeks ago after taking a suspected overdose.

Police have now confirmed that Ms Ryan and Tomlinson did live together at the address in Norwood Crescent.

Neighbours of the accountant say he told them his partner had left him to start a new life in Canada months ago.

But a post mortem revealed Ms Ryan suffered extensive injuries before her death.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: “The Home Office post mortem concluded that she died of head injuries.

“Whilst the post mortem could not provide a precise time of death it is thought Ms Ryan has been dead since April this year.”

The police have launched a murder investigation, but are not looking for anyone in connection with the murder.

Mr Tomlinson was last seen on Saturday November 22, the day he is thought to have killed himself, loading suitcases and boxes into a car outside his home.

It is understood police were called on the following Monday by Mr Tomlinson’s work colleagues after he had not turned up for his office job. A final text sent by Tomlinson to his colleagues is believed to have read “I’ve done something really bad”.

However in the text he did not make it clear that a body was hidden in the freezer and the woman’s remains were found days later when an officer checked inside.

Anyone who may have seen or spoken to Mr Tomlinson in the days leading up to his death is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151-777 3165 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.