FRIENDS of a woman who was found dead in a pub car park have described an energetic and sincere mother of five who ‘did not deserve to die’.

The body of Mary Roberts, 50, was discovered in the St Edmunds Tavern car park in Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, at around 9am on Wednesday March 27.

Speaking one week on, and as police renew their call for information about the minutes, hours and days before Ms Roberts’ death, Nicky Thomas said her friend had always been someone to rely on.

She added: “Mary was like an adoptive sister and that is how she will always be remembered by myself, as well as a loving, very jovial, cheerful soul. She was energetic, genuine, sincere and down-to-earth. I know from experience that if I ever had a problem I was able to turn to Mary for advice and she would willing try to help the best way that she knew how to and that was to try and to protect myself from harm from anything.”

Ms Thomas said Ms Roberts, whose maiden name was Mary Ashton, had been her ‘normal self’ when they met a couple of months before.

She added: “Like always, she told me to say Hi to the family for her and told my other friend that was with us at the time to look after me, as she loved me as a sister. Sadly, that was the last time I actually spoke with Mary. So, all I can say now is ‘Mary I will miss you, and that you did not deserve to die’.”

The investigation into Ms Roberts’ death continues and police said they are keen to hear from anyone they have not yet spoken to who was in the St Edmunds Tavern on the evening of Tuesday March 26 through to the early hours of Wednesday March 27, or anyone who had been in the Risbygate Street area of Bury St Edmunds.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said they would also like to speak to anyone who had seen Mary in the days leading up to her death.

A 55-year-old man and a 59-year-old man, from Bury St Edmunds, who were arrested on suspicion of murder remain on police bail. They must return to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre on Tuesday June 4 and Wednesday June 5 respectively.

Calls with information should be made to the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.