Police name 26-year-old woman stabbed to death in Manchester as murder investigation launched
A woman who was stabbed to death in Manchester in the early hours of this morning has been named, as police arrest a man on suspicion of murder.
Alisha Samuels, 26, was found with serious stab wounds by officers who were responding to reports of a disturbance in Newton Heath at around 2am on Thursday (15 October).
Emergency services rushed to the residential street but despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Greater Manchester Police have said a 25-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.
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Another man aged 61 and a woman aged 38 have also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, police said.
All three remain in police custody while police continue with their investigation.
Detective Inspector Paul Costello, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said on Thursday: “This was an awful and tragic attack, but I would like to reassure the community that we have three people in our custody, and my team are working tirelessly to identify anyone else who may have been involved.
“There will be a significant police presence in the area, and multiple scenes are in place whilst our investigations continue. I urge anyone who may be able to help with our enquiries to please come forward.”
A local resident said she heard ‘screams’ followed by a ‘car crash’ in the early hours of the morning.
Another told the Manchester Evening News: "I heard shouting and screaming. I went outside and saw all the police.
"They arrested a man, I couldn't see what he looked like because it was dark.”
A third local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said the horrific incident was a ‘shock’.
"Believe it or not, I was telling my friend the other day that this is a quiet area,” she said.
“So, this has come as a bit of a shock.
"I've lived here 30 years and the worst thing we've had was a shooting a long time ago. Apart from that, it's usually quiet."
Images printed by the MEN showed forensics officers in white suits searching the area outside a property as well as the inside of a white car.
An update from Greater Manchester Police said: “At this time, the family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one.”
Detectives are now attempting to determine the circumstance surrounding the incident and have urged witnesses, including anyone with doorbell, phone, or CCTV footage, to get in touch.
The force has called on anyone with relevant information to ‘please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha’.
Police can be contacted on 0161 856 5464 or the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A Major Incident Public Portal has also been launched, which can be found here.
Claire Reid