A PENSIONER arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife remains under arrest in hospital.

Marian Smith, 74, was found dead with stab wounds at her home in Aberdare Close, Blackburn, last Thursday.

Her husband, 87-year-old John Smith, was arrested by detectives at the scene but was later transferred from custody to hospital with undisclosed injuries.

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Yesterday, Lancashire police said there was ‘no update’ on the investigation and that Mr Smith had not been charged. Officers were called to the retired couple’s upstairs flat, in the cul-de-sac where they had lived for more than 30 years, at around 9.10am on Thursday.

Crime scene investigators and forensics experts spent most of the day at the scene after Mr Smith was taken into custody.

Neighbours said police cordoned off the couple’s flat until 11.30pm on Thursday and took statements from some residents.

A young woman, believed to be a community carer for the couple, was also seen being comforted at the scene.

A post-mortem examination which was carried out by a Home Office pathologist established the cause of death as stab wounds.

Senior police officers have confirmed that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with their enquiries. A family liaison officer is continuing to provide Mrs Smith’s family with support.

Blackburn coroner Michael Singleton has been informed about Mrs Smith death, but inquest proceedings have not yet been opened.

Lancashire police’s Force Major Investigation Team is expected to question Mr Smith, who is believed to be from Northern Ireland originally, this week.