Community in shock as mum killed in home

Feb 21 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A CLOSE-KNIT community was in mourning last night after a popular mother of two was killed in her own home.

Kelly McKitten’s two sons, both believed to be below 10 years old, were understood to be in another room of the house in Gardiner Crescent, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, while the 31-year-old was being attacked.

Yesterday Ms McKitten’s terraced home overlooking a green was cordoned off as police forensic specialists examined the scene.

A man, 26, from Sacriston, near Durham, understood to be known to Ms McKitten, was being held in custody in Durham City on suspicion of her murder. A steady procession of friends trooped up to place flowers outside the cordon yesterday afternoon.

Ms McKitten’s grandfather by marriage, Joseph McKitten, of Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, said: “Her parents are devastated, very upset.

“Kelly was a lovely, popular girl. It is hard to take in.

“From what I can gather, a relative was with her last night until about 10.30pm. She sent the same girl a text about midnight saying she was OK. She must have been killed after that.”

Mr McKitten confirmed what neighbours had said, that her two sons were in the house at the time.

Young mother Kirsty Herbert, from Pelton Fell, said: “Kelly was a lovely girl and what has happened is too shocking for words.

“I have known her for years. Her younger son goes to the same nursery as my boy.

“The whole village is in a state of shock about her death.”

Julie Kaur, who runs a general dealer’s store just yards from the house where Ms McKitten’s body was discovered, said: “She was in the shop last night, I spoke to her then.

“She was a regular customer and very popular. She was a nice girl.

“Her parents used to run Pelton Fell Workingmen’s Club before it closed and they are well known in Pelton Fell.”

Shocked neighbours in Gardiner Crescent said they were awoken by the sound of sirens yesterday. A Durham Police spokeswoman said officers attended the scene following a call by ambulance control shortly before 7.30am, where they found the body of a 31-year-old woman.

The coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Detective Superintendent Ken Donnelly, who is leading the investigation, has appealed for anyone who was in Gardiner Crescent yesterday morning and witnessed anything that might help police with their inquiries to ring a murder incident room set up following the discovery.

Anyone with information should contact (0191) 375-2236.