Gracie Spinks: Woman ‘stabbed to death’ by ‘obsessed’ man she’d reported for stalking, inquest hears
A woman is thought to have been stabbed to death by a man who became “obsessed” with her despite her raising concerns with the police, an inquest jury heard.
Gracie Spinks died aged 23 on 18 June 2021 from 10 stab wounds believed to have been inflicted by Michael Sellers, six months after she had refused to pursue a romantic relationship with him.
The body of Sellers, 35, her former supervisor at a warehouse where she had a temporary job, was found in a nearby field a few hours later.
He had left a note saying he “could not deal with all of her lies”, which a coroner said was one of “various pieces of evidence” that Sellers had killed Ms Spinks and then taken his own life.
Months before her death, Ms Spinks had reported Sellers to their employer and the police for stalking after he became infatuated with her and turned up at Blue Lodge Farm stables in Derbyshire, where the keen rider kept her horse.
Gracie Spinks was a keen horse rider
Officers had given Sellers “words of advice” following this.
But they took no action when a bag of weapons was found near the stables by a member of the public, which included a note saying “do not lie”, just over a month before Ms Spinks’ death.
Following the deaths, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated five Derbyshire Police officers for misconduct.
A bag of weapons was found close to the stables a month before she was killed. Pic: Anna Kipling
Resuming an inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court, Matthew Kewley, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, said: “Gracie left home early to go and see her horse in the field.
“Just after 8am, a number of other people arrived at the field and Gracie was found lying on the ground and a man was seen running away.
“It was initially thought she may have been attacked by a horse.”
Mr Kewley said emergency services were called to the scene and were unable to save Ms Spinks. A knife was found near where she was discovered.
“Soon a possible link was made with Michael Sellers. At around 11am, Michael Sellers was also found and he was deceased.
“It appeared that Michael Sellers had taken his own life and a suicide note was recovered.”
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Sajad Chaudhury, representing Ms Spinks’ family, said: “Gracie was snatched away from us by a coward who was unwilling to face the consequences of unthinking actions.
“We cannot hold him to account. We have had no closure.
“The inquest will enable the nation to hear the distressing facts as to how and in what circumstances Gracie was killed, the events leading up to Gracie’s death, and her interaction with the police in reporting her stalker.”
The inquest continues.
Police have appealed for information after a man was charged with murdering two women and raping a third.
Simon Levy has been charged with murdering 53-year-old Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo who died on the Aylesbury Estate, south-east London, on 17 March, the Metropolitan Police said.
In September, Levy, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, north London, was charged with murdering 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins who was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August.
He is also accused of grievous bodily harm with intent, non-fatal strangulation and two counts of rape against a third woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Haringey, north London, on 21 January, police said.
The 40-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with Ms Valencia-Trujillo’s murder.
Sheryl Wilkins was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August. Pic: Metropolitan Police
He is also due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing for the murder of Ms Wilkins.
Detectives believe there may be individuals who have information relevant to this investigation – or who are yet to report incidents which have directly impacted them – and are asking for people to come forward.
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UK
Family of woman killed 56 years ago, in a case of mistaken identity, believe her remains are buried in a garden
A new “national day” to honour victims and survivors of terrorism will be added to the calendar from next year, it has been revealed.
The annual commemoration will fall on 21 August, and will be marked in a different place each year to recognise the widespread impact of terrorism around the country.
It comes after a 12-week public consultation showed 91% supported the plan for a national day, and 84% strongly supported the proposal.
Flowers left in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, to remember the Manchester Arena terror attack. Pic: PA
How the day will look, including a final name and symbol, will be worked out collaboratively between survivors and ministers, according to the Home Office.
But it will “honour and remember victims and survivors of terrorism”, encouraging survivors to access specialist support, spotlighting their stories, and educating the public.
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that it would not be a bank holiday.
Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, said victims of terrorism would no longer be “a footnote of history”.
Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the Brighton bombing in 1984, with convicted bomber Patrick Magee in 2004. File pic: PA
She said: “What we remember as a nation matters. It sends a signal about what we value.
“For too long, survivors of terror attacks, and those who have been killed in them, have been a footnote of history. Survivors have felt ignored and forgotten.
“That’s why Survivors Against Terror launched a campaign for a new national day of memorial three years ago.”
Read more:
Referrals to UK counter-terrorism programme reach new high
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Travis Frain, who survived the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, also backed the campaign.
He said: “A national day would provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who have survived these heinous acts, and for us to look forward to the future to educate the next generation.”
The date was chosen to coincide with the UN International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Plans have also been announced for a new support hub to help victims in the aftermath of terror attacks.
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