Detectives investigating the death of Halesowen pensioner Cynthia Beamond have charged a 32-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman with her murder.

The man has also been charged with the murder of a pensioner in London who was found stabbed to death in his care home on Monday morning.

Leo Barnes, from Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath, and Chantelle Moran-Stokes, from Latches Close, Darlaston, will appear at Dudley Magistrates Court today (Thursday).

The pair were both arrested on Sunday morning and charged last night.

Cynthia’s body was found concealed at her house in Howley Grange, Halesowen on Sunday evening.

A post mortem revealed she died as a result of serious head injuries.

Barnes has also been charged with a second murder in London on Saturday at an address in Spencer House in Belsize Park, where the body of a 67-year-old man, named as Philip Silverstone, was found on Monday morning.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at around 10.35am on Monday following concern for the occupants of a flat.

“Mr. Silverstone was suffering what were believed to be stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene."

West Midlands Police is working with the Metropolitan Police Service on this joint investigation and both forces have continued to update the families of Mrs Beamond and Mr Silverstone throughout.