Police’s murder squad investigates death of Jeremy Mogford’s mother

Pamela Mogford died in February 2022 aged 100. A funeral service took place at St Paul’s Church, Bledlow Ridge, the Chilterns village where she lived for three-quarters of a century, a month after her death.

But now, detectives from Thames Valley Police’s major crime team have opened an investigation into her death amid suspicions that the woman may have been murdered.

Two people, who police have refused to name, have been arrested ‘in connection with the investigation’.

Jeremy Mogford said in a statement to the Oxford Mail that he regarded the murder investigation as ‘mistaken’.

“My mother was nearly 101 when she sadly passed away and was an adored member of our close-knit family,” the hotelier said.

“I did absolutely everything to care for her and ensure she could stay in the home she had lived in for over 75 years. We all loved her dearly and miss her every day.

“I regard this investigation as mistaken but will of course fully cooperate and assist in any way I can.”

The daughter of a Wycombe insurance broker, Jake Bennett, Pamela married war hero Maj Peter Mogford in 1946 when he was decommissioned from the Army after service at Dunkirk and in North Africa, Cyprus, Italy and India.

The couple was married for 70 years until his death in 2015. Peter Mogford had followed his parents into the hotel industry, operating hotels in High Wycombe, Egham, Windsor and Oxford.

Mrs Mogford continued living in Bledlow Ridge, her home since her marriage. A death notice, published in the Bucks Free Press and the Daily Telegraph, described her as active in village life, ‘fun-loving’, ‘always generating joy and laughter to many who feel privileged to have had her in their lives for so long’.

Her funeral service was due to be held at St Paul’s Church, Bledlow Ridge, on March 18 last year.

This month, the plot adjacent to Peter Mogford’s grave in St Paul’s churchyard had seemingly been dug and the earth turned over.

The Ministry of Justice, which grants licences to exhume burials, confirmed that no such licence had been issued in respect of Mrs Mogford.

The coroner for Buckinghamshire, who also has the authority to grant the police permission to exhume remains, would not comment when approached by the Oxford Mail on Tuesday (June 20).

The two people arrested in connection with the murder investigation have been bailed until August 29.

A police spokesman said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Mrs Mogford and they are being supported.

“We are aware that this may be concerning to the public, but we can confirm there is no danger to the wider community.

“We are not in a position to provide further comment at this time as proceedings are active.”

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