Pair deny murder two years after woman found dead

Two people have denied the murder of a woman whose body remained undiscovered at her home for several weeks.

Essex Police initially treated the death of Helen Bloomfield, 52, whose body was found at her home in Braintree in April 2024, as unexpected.

In April, the force announced they believed her death to be suspicious and that Charlotte James, 29, of St Michael's Lane, Braintree, and 40-year-old Amy Keely, of no fixed address, had been charged with murder.

The two defendants appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court via video link where they each entered a not guilty plea.

A trial date was set for 7 September.

Earlier this year, lead investigator Det Ch Insp Greg Wood described the circumstances in which Bloomfield's body was found as "unusual".

"Our thoughts remain with Helen's family who have endured an incredibly difficult two years following her death," he said.

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