Tributes to pet shop owner amid murder probe

Image source, PA Media Image caption, Tributes have been left outside Animal Fayre pet shop in Cricklade after its owner Barbara Mullaney died By Beth Cruse Reporting from West of England Published 5 July 2026, 12:58 BST Updated 2 hours ago Tributes have been paid to a pet shop owner who died in a car crash police are investigating as murder. Barbara Mullaney, who was in her 70s and owned Animal Fayre pet shop in Cricklade, has been named locally as the woman who died in a crash on the B4696, near Royal Wotton Bassett in Wiltshire, on Tuesday. A 43-year-old man has been held on suspicion of murder . He was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, after the teenage passenger in his car suffered serious injuries in the collision. Wiltshire Police say they received a number of calls relating to the suspect prior to the collision and had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. St Sampsons Church in Cricklade, Wiltshire, said Mullaney was a "light of kindness and care for owners and their pets". The church has invited people to light a candle for the town's "much-loved pet shop lady". "Our thoughts and prayers are for her dear family and friends," it added. More Wiltshire stories Patients struggle to get vital medicines amid shortages Published 10 hours ago Cyclist in his 20s dies after crash involving van Published 6 hours ago In pictures: Tom Jones, 'singing pirates' and a Strawberry Moon Published 10 hours ago Dozens of flowers and messages have been left outside the front of Mullaney's pet shop. One said: "We offer our condolences, Auntie Barb was such a lovely, caring vibrant lady. Always had time for a chat. She will be greatly missed." Another said Mullaney "was loved by so many". "May she be remembered always in our hearts with love," it added. Local dog walking business Purton Pet Pals also posted a tribute to Mullaney on social media. "I have been visiting Barb in Cricklade for probably about 17 years," it said. "She was always smiling, always with plenty of time to chat, always with a story to tell, mostly rude! I always left the shop with a huge smile on my face!" Image source, PA Media Image caption, Flowers have been left outside Animal Fayre pet shop The crash happened on the B4696 between Brinkworth Road and Lydiard Plain at about 18:05 BST on Tuesday, Wiltshire Police said. It involved a black Vauxhall Astra travelling north and an orange Peugeot 107 travelling south. Mullaney, who was driving the Peugeot, died at the scene. The teenage girl who was also injured has since been discharged from hospital. The Vauxhall driver was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving while unfit through drink or drugs, a police spokesperson said. Image source, PA Media Image caption, Flowers have been left outside Animal Fayre pet shop in Cricklade after its owner Barbara Mullaney died Wiltshire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, due to previous in