The killers of Halesowen grandmother Cynthia Beamond hid her body in her home after murdering her, police have revealed.

The 80-year-old was last seen alive at her hairdressers in Halesowen on Friday morning and her family reported her missing on Friday night.

The police immediately checked her Juliet Road home but did not find her body, only when they returned yesterday (Sunday) to do a more meticulous search did they find the body.

Police have arrested two people from the Birmingham area and are continuing to question them after being granted more time to hold them in custody.

The 32-year-old man and 23-year-old woman are not relatives but officers believe one of them knew Mrs Beamond.

Detective Superintendent Mark Payne, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "We conducted a search of the house and as a result of some forensic items we saw we began a more extensive search.

"On Sunday afternoon we found Cynthia's body, she was well concealed at the house and as a result we opened a murder investigation.

"We have arrested two people one of which maybe known to Cynthia but they are not relatives or a family member, we are speaking to the family and the those in custody about how she would have been known to them."

Police are appealing to anyone who has been offered a stolen 24 inch John Lewis television and a red HP laptop which they believe were taken from the home.

DS Payne added: "We are exploring that this was a burglary, or this could be a murder disguised as a burglary, we are not ruling anything out at this stage."

Police are also searching for Mrs Beamond's silver Astra, registration T419 MDA, which is missing.

Police would not divulge where in the house the body was found or what injuries the victim suffered as those details would compromise the investigation at this time.

DS Payne added: "Cynthia was a much loved member of the community, she had a loving family,  there could have been no reason to harm her and for this tragic and shocking turn of events.

"This is a horrific isolated incident and I would like to assure the people of Halesowen that we will find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Anyone with information is asked to call local police on 101.