Minster funeral for murdered policewoman

Detective Constable Heather Cooper, 33, originally of York, was found dead last month in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall, West Sussex, just a few miles from her home in Haslemere, Surrey.

A post-mortem examination found she died from a blow to the head and a stab wound to the throat.

Her partner, Peter Foster, a 35-year-old former police detective, was arrested and is awaiting trial accused of her murder.

Yesterday, police announced her family will gather on Monday for her funeral service, which will take place in The Quire, the eastern part of the Cathedral, at 11am, followed by a private burial.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: “There will be police outriders, uniformed pallbearers and a Surrey Police standard bearer leading the coffin into York Minster. The service will be conducted by Canon Glyn Webster, Chancellor of York Minster.”

Ms Cooper had served Surrey Police since 2003 and worked as a detective at Guildford Police Station. She was on maternity leave at the time of her death.

The mother-of-two was described by her family as a “much-loved daughter, sister and granddaughter” in a statement released last month.

It added: “She was extremely proud to serve as a police officer, often going above and beyond her duty, and her dedication and professionalism was recognised and commended.”