UPDATE: Young mum found dead in house

9:13am Wednesday 14th May 2008

A YOUNG mother was found dead in her home after teachers raised the alarm when she failed to pick up her daughter from school.

Katherine Houghton, aged 32, was discovered by her father who had to break into the house in Manchester Road, Westhoughton, when relatives received no answer.

Paramedics were called and pronounced Miss Houghton dead.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and the matter has now been passed to the Bolton Coroner.

A GMP spokesman said: "At about 8.30pm on Monday police were called to an address in Manchester Road, Westhoughton, following a report of concern for the welfare of an individual.

"Officers went to the scene where the body of a 32-year-old woman was discovered."

Miss Houghton is understood to have recently split up from her partner. The alarm was raised when she did not arrive at The Gates Primary School in Westhoughton to collect her eight-year-old daughter. Relatives are understood to have made three attempts to rouse her before finally breaking in to the house.

Miss Houghton's death has come as a shock to the community.

One neighbour said: "She was usually a happy person and would smile and say hello.

"I can't believe this has happened."

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