Four murder investigations have been launched in eight days across Greater Manchester. Two probes were launched on the same day following the separate deaths of two women.
Police are investigating four incidents – in neighbourhoods in Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale and Salford. Two women, 39 and 61, and two men, one in his 30s and one 31-years-old, died in the incidents.
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There is no suggestion any of the cases are linked. Crime scene investigators and forensic specialists have been seen working at crime scenes across the region in recent days.
Coroners across Greater Manchester have been handed files in relation to the cases.
This is what we know about each case…
Breightmet
Emma McGowan, 39, was found unresponsive at a property in Breightmet in Bolton in the early hours of August 4.
Police attended at around 3am on Yewdale Avenue, where Ms McGowan was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family described her as a ‘much-loved daughter and adored mother’ to four young children. “Our hearts are broken and we will miss you forever,” they said in a statement issued via police.
Joseph Webb, 36, of Yewdale Avenue, has been charged with murder. He was remanded into custody following an appearance before magistrates.
Mossley, Tameside – August 4
Later on August 4, Greater Manchester Police officers were called to a property on Winterford Road in Mossley. A woman was sadly found dead at the scene.
She was later named as 61-year-old Julie Loco. A 60-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.
He remains released on bail while officers work to ‘establish the full circumstances’, police said in an update on Thursday (August 13).
A neighbour told the Manchester Evening News there was a ‘significant’ emergency response, with paramedics arriving first.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, it was like something from a movie,” they added. “They were in the house, I could just hear all the machines beeping, then it just went silent.
“They had to wait for the police to come. I’ve not been able to sleep from it.”
Wardle, Rochdale – August 11
Nathan Haigh, 31, was found unresponsive at a flat on Great Howarth at around 7.30pm on Tuesday (August 11). He was pronounced dead shortly after despite the best efforts of paramedics, GMP said.
A 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning, the force said in an update on Thursday (August 13).
A force spokesperson said detectives are ‘exploring several lines of enquiries in what initially appears to be suspicious circumstances’.
There is not believed to be any risk to the public. On Thursday afternoon the investigation continued, with a police officer stood guard at the entrance to the block of flats on the estate near the village of Wardle, on the outskirts of Rochdale.
Neighbours said earlier in the day forensics officers were seen examining the ground floor flat where Mr Haigh is thought to have lived.
It’s understood he had no children and had previously worked as a roofer. It is thought he had lived on the estate for around 20 years.
Mr Haigh’s mother, Keeley Greenwood, spoke of her heartbreak on Facebook. She has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to give her son ‘the send off he deserves’.
Ms Greenwood wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the heartbreaking news that my beautiful son, Nathan Haigh, tragically passed away on 11th August 2026.
“We are now trying to raise funds to give Nathan the send off he deserves during this incredibly difficult time. Any donation no matter how big or small, would mean so much to our family and would be deeply appreciated.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, love and support. Any further details will be updated as soon as we have more information.”
She added on Facebook: “RIP my son. I will always love you Nathan Haigh.” Lauren Reeves posted: “RIP Nathan Haigh. Sending love to all your family and loved ones.”
Broughton, Salford – August 12
GMP officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a flat on Kempster Gardens in Broughton in the early hours of Wednesday (August 12).
A man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not yet been named. Another man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in custody on Thursday (August 13).
Neighbours reported hearing screaming for help as an incident unfolded. One person reporting seeing a police officer leaving a flat in tears as forensics worked at the scene.
A neighbour told the Manchester Evening News: “I woke up at around 5.30am and heard shouts of ‘help’ and ‘call the police’. I thought someone was just messing about so I ignored it and went back to bed.
“In the morning we saw the police cars. I didn’t take it seriously at the time, but I feel a bit sick to my stomach now. What if I had called the police earlier? Would they have come sooner? I feel guilty for ignoring it.”
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