A MURDER investigation into the death of a 53-year-old woman from East Lancashire has been dropped by detectives.

Police had interviewed a 22-year-old man, on suspicion of murder, after Michelle Howard was found at the bottom of her stairs in Regent Street, Ramsbottom, on February 28.

He answered bail in Bury yesterday when he was told that no proceedings will now be taken against him.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a 53-year-old Ramsbottom woman has been released without charge.

“The death of Michelle Howard will now be passed to the coroner.”

Family and friends paid tribute to Michelle, a former Tottington Secondary Modern School, who left a married son, Lee Howard, 29.

She worked as a health and safety officer at plastics firm Chadwick’s in Bury.

Her family was well-known in Ramsbottom as her late father John was the licensee of the Masons Arms on Bolton Road.