Grays: Woman convicted of killing mother in 'truly tragic case'

A woman has been convicted of killing her mother following work by our specialist detectives.

Eighty-nine year-old Winifred Grover was found unresponsive on 21 June last year at the home in Lenmore Avenue, Grays that she shared with her daughter, Cheryl Banks, and Banks’ family.

Winifred had on-set dementia and Alzheimers and Banks had been her primary carer.

Winifred had lived with Banks and her family for last three years.

Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prior to officers arriving at the address, Banks, 60, had disclosed to members of her family that she had killed Winifred.

A forensic post-mortem identified the most likely cause of death was that Winifred had been smothered.

In a prepared statement to officers, Banks stated that she had experienced mental health problems for some time and that she loved her mother very much.

She was later charged with Winifred’s murder.

Following a trial at Basildon Crown Court she was today (Tuesday 1 March) found not guilty of murder.

However, she had already submitted a plea of guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility so has been convicted of that offence.

She is due to be sentenced on 1 April.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:

“This is a truly tragic case and one that has really saddened me and my team.

“Winifred Grover was an elderly woman in need of constant care.

"I want to extend the condolences of me and my team to her family."