A thug who strangled a "loving" great-grandmother to death in her own home before hiding in bushes outside a school has admitted manslaughter.
Chase Kelly, 31, brutally throttled 84-year-old Mildred Whitmore in a senseless attack on June 1 last year.
Police scrambled to her home in Nuneaton, Warks., after receiving a call at 9.10am from a worried neighbour.
Officers arrived and found Ms Whitmore, known as “the queen of the family” dead on the floor.
A manhunt was launched and at 10am police found Kelly hiding in bushes outside a school nearby.
He had cuts and bruises to his arms and legs and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He was placed in the area at around 4.40am after a witness heard a commotion and recorded Kelly walking across the A444 towards George Eliot Hospital.
Kelly, of Arley, Warks., admitted manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility.
He was remanded in custody after he appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Monday.
Detective Inspector Collette O’Keefe, from Warwickshire Police, said: “This was a tragic and senseless killing.
“Mildred was a much loved lady who is clearly missed by her family and friends.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone who knew her and our thoughts remain with them.”
Kelly also pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in Ryton on Dunsmore, Warks., in November 2020.
Speaking at the time of Ms Whitmore’s death, her heartbroken family said she was a “loving, gentle lady”.
They said: “Mildred was the queen of our family. A loving wife, mother, grandma, great grandma and friend.
“Mildred would find great enjoyment from spending time with her family and pottering around her garden.
“Everyone who knew her would agree she was a loving gentle lady, who will be greatly missed by all that were lucky enough to know her.”
Kelly was been remanded in custody while psychiatric reports are prepared and will be sentenced in April.
