Woman, 26, is stabbed to death

Jul 3 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A MURDER investigation began yesterday after a woman was found stabbed to death in her second-floor flat. A man was arrested after police were called to Bramwell Court in Rydall Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, at around 1am.

Around 10 police cars were sent to the scene, where they discovered 26-year-old Nicola Morrin who had sustained fatal injuries.

Officers later arrested a 36-year-old man who was then taken to hospital where he received treatment for injuries that were believed to have been self-inflicted.

He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and last night remained in custody.

Ms Morrin, who has a one-year-old daughter, has lived in the six-storey building for more than two years.

Last night tape restricted people coming and going from the building’s two entrances and police stood guard as forensic investigators continued to collect evidence.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a murder inquiry had been launched, and that a post-mortem examination was due to take place.

She said: “Police were called to a property at Bramwell Court, in Gosforth, Newcastle, just after 1am yesterday, where they found the body of a 26-year-old woman.

“Although she is yet to be formerly identified, she is believed to be Nicola Morrin.

“At this stage we believe she died as a result of stab wounds.

“A post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death.”

Ms Morrin’s parents were too upset to speak last night, and the incident has shocked the community.

One nearby homeowner said: “It’s frightening. I think it’s the girl with the baby. I saw her just yesterday walking across the road. I can’t believe it. Everyone knows each other round here.”

Another homeowner who lives in houses opposite the flats, said he saw police lead a man out of the building in handcuffs.

He said: “We saw all the police cars here last night. I saw a big guy getting taken away in an ambulance.

“He was handcuffed and he was just wearing his jeans and he was topless.

“I said there must have been something very wrong there to be that many police cars.”

Donald Gaskarth, 72, who also lives opposite the flats, added: “Me and my wife watched if for about two hours, there were eight police cars here and two at the top of the road, and an ambulance but we didn’t know what it was then.”