TRAGIC details of how a Worcester woman apparently died have emerged as police continue to investigate her death.

Members of the Worcester Polish community have come forward with information on the death of Tatiana Rzepka, who was aged 37, last year.

Tomasz Gruszeczka, who knew Mrs Rzepka and her husband, said Mrs Rzepka drowned in the bath in July last year and her death was initially believed to be suicide.

Police have been searching the home that Mrs Rzepka shared with her husband, Tomasz Rzepka, and their seven-year-old daughter, in Saddlers Walk since Thursday morning, in relation to her death.

Officers arrested a 42-year-old man in relation with the investigation on Thursday but later released under investigation. The Worcester News understands that the arrested man was Mr Rzepka.

Mrs Rzepka, originally from Moldova, worked at a care home in St John's and was a well-liked figure in the community, said Mr Gruszeczka.

He added: “We are devastated and shocked in the Polish community.

“Tatiana was well liked in the community, although I didn’t know her personally. She loved her daughter and was a carer at an old people’s home in St John’s.

“We believe Tomasz took their daughter to Poland a few weeks ago to stay with family.”

Mr Gruszeczka added: “We first met Tomasz when he came to the UK from Poland 12 years ago. We worked together in a factory in Lower Broadheath.

“My friend even lived with the couple in Saddlers Walk for a short time.

“Tomasz later got work at First Bus as a bus driver and we stopped seeing him after that.”

Neighbours of Tatiana Rzpeka have described her as a nice woman.

A close neighbour and friend said Mrs Rzpeka was a "lovely woman". Their children attended the same school and they would often do the school run together.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police previously said: “At around 9am on Thursday August 6, officers searched a property in Saddlers Walk, Worcester.

“A cordon is in place around the house whilst our officers continue their investigation.

“The searches at a home on Saddlers Walk relate to the death of a woman last year and enquiries are ongoing to establish circumstances surrounding her death.

“We are aware of local concern that we are searching for a body - this is not the case and we are currently only searching inside the property.”

An inquest into the death of Ms Rzepka was due to take place on Monday, August 10 at Stourport Coroners Court.

However, we have been told it has now been pushed back to a later date. The Coroner's Office was unable to say when the inquest will take place.