POLICE launched a murder inquiry after a young woman died following an attack in a scenic park on her way to work.

Heather Jordan's body was discovered on Sunday morning by a skateboard ramp in Lyngford Park, Taunton, which is popular with young people and dog walkers and just yards from a children's nursery.

Miss Jordan, 34, who was single without children and lived with her brother in Pickeridge Close, close to the park off Eastwick Road, worked as a cleaner at the nearby Co-op store in Priorswood Place, as well as at Boots and NatWest in town.

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A post mortem has been carried out, but police have not disclosed the cause of death beyond saying she was the "victim of an assault".

Miss Jordan leaves both parents, who are separated, three brothers and a sister.

Flowers have been left in the park, where a large area was cordoned off, but her family has asked to be left to grieve.

A 52-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder is still being quizzed by detectives after magistrates granted police an extension to question him.

Officers have been piecing together Miss Jordan's final movements, with teams trawling the park and surrounding areas for evidence.

A friend of Miss Jordan, previously of Dorchester, Becky Blackmore has paid tribute to a "caring and loving person who put everybody else first".

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Ms Blackmore added: "It's a major shock and we don't really understand it. We're stunned. It's left a hole in my life.

"Heather loved knitting and cross stitching, watching TV with her mum.

"She was a hard worker.

"We used to see her once a week and talk to her two or three times."

Co-op area manager Nick Crocker said: "We are so saddened to hear the tragic news and our thoughts are with the family at this terrible time."

Police were called to Lyngford Park at 8am on Sunday, but tragically Ms Jordan had died by the time she received medical treatment.

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Detective Inspector Mike Buck said: "I appreciate all the support my team have already received from local people as we try to establish what happened, but we still need more information and I would urge people to contact us if they can help.

"Specially trained officers are supporting the victim’s family and my thoughts are with them at this awful time."

Anybody who was in Lyngford Park between 10pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday should visit mipp.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference 5218037041.

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Local policing area commander Lisa Simpson said: "The neighbourhood policing team will be carrying our additional patrols in the area so I would encourage any residents with worries or concerns to speak to them."

*We have decided not to publish a photo of Heather Jordan to respect her family's wishes.