Murder probe after woman, 29, who fled house in Stoke dies of stab wounds and man, 39, is arrested

A mother clutching her four-month-old baby banged on doors screaming for help before collapsing on the ground after she was stabbed in Stoke. 

Neighbours said the 29-year-old known only as Kim was covered in blood as she ran screaming ‘help, help’ following a disturbance at a house in Leigh Street, Burslem. 

The victim collapsed and was discovered with stab wounds in the Staffordshire town on Friday afternoon just before 5pm. 

She was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Murder detectives were quizzing a 39-year-old man from Bournemouth on suspicion of her murder today. 

A mother clutching her four-month-old baby banged on doors screaming for help before collapsing on the ground after she was stabbed in Stoke. Pictured: Forensics at the scene 

Neighbours said the 29-year-old was covered in blood as she ran while screaming for help following a disturbance at a house in Leigh Street, Burslem. Pictured: A police officer carrying a floral tribute at the scene

One neighbour said Kim was pregnant when she moved in.

He said: ‘I heard her shouting for help. It was awful. She sounded terrified. I had only spoken to her a couple of times but she seemed really nice.

‘She initially moved in on her own but then later her boyfriend moved in. I never used to see much of him. 

‘I don’t know much about the couple but it is all terribly sad. That little baby will now have to grow up without a mum. I’m just glad the baby is fine.’

Next-door neighbour Ken Bradshaw, 77, said: ‘I was told that she was covered in blood.

Flowers were left at the scene after a woman was stabbed. She was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead

Neighbours reported seeing a woman fleeing onto a road following a disturbance at a house in Leigh Street, Burslem (pictured) on Friday around 4.45pm

‘It must have been horrible for her and those who saw it.’

A crime scene is in place and officers are now working to establish the woman’s identity.

June Cartwright, who lives near to the scene, said: ‘This is such an awful thing to have happened and the community is in shock.

‘My thoughts are with the woman’s family.’

A Staffordshire Police spokesman added: ‘A man from the Bournemouth area has been arrested in connection with the death and is in custody.

Staffordshire murder detectives were quizzing a 39-year-old man from Bournemouth on suspicion of her murder on Saturday

‘Formal identification of the deceased woman is yet to take place.

‘The woman’s family are being supported by specially trained officers at this time and we would kindly urge people to respect their privacy and not to speculate as to her identity or the circumstances of the case as enquiries continue.’

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 referring to incident 430 of November 6.