A WOMAN who died after suffering gun shot wounds in a suspected murder has been named.

Emergency services rushed to the sleepy west Somerset town after the drama unfolded on Saturday afternoon.

The woman, named locally as 56-year-old Debbie Zurick, was gunned down at her home in Winsford, near Minehead, which is next to Stanley Johnson's rural estate.

Mrs Zurick's husband, John, is believed to be in hospital with self-inflicted injuries.

Avon and Somerset Police were called to Winsford by a member of the public raising concerns over the welfare of a woman at 2.30pm on Saturday. She was found outside the property with severe injuries and pronounced dead at the scene.

READ MORE: Sleepy Somerset village rocked as woman killed after suffering 'shotgun injuries'

Police said a second woman, treated as a key witness, was located uninjured nearby.

A further search located a 67-year-old man, who had also suffered serious injuries caused by a shotgun, in an outbuilding, police said.

Police said the man, whose condition is described as critical but stable, is in custody but has been taken to a hospital in Devon for emergency treatment.

The force has referred itself to the police watchdog due to previous contact with those involved.

Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "This is a very serious incident in which a woman has lost her life and we are deploying family liaison officers to support the next of kin.

"The scene remains cordoned off so further forensic inquiries and searches can take place over the next few days."

The Prime Minister's father, Stanley, described his shock at Mrs Zurick's death.

He told the Daily Mail: "Both I and my whole family are shocked, stunned and saddened by this tragic incident.

"We very much regret the passing of Mrs Zurick. She was a neighbour and she was much loved.

"She was honorary secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society and was much loved for the work she did, in the society and in Exmoor and beyond."

The couple had several dogs, including one apparently named after the Prime Minister.

A spokesman for the Working Clumber Spaniel Society said: "I'm sorry, I can't comment on anything," and hung up the phone.

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