Forensics investigators are scouring a canal towpath close to the scene where a woman was stabbed to death as a murder probe enters its third day. The 51-year-old victim was found seriously injured on Edge Lane in Droylsden just after noon on Friday and died around 45 minutes later.
Later that day a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. Today (Sunday) police remain on the scene as the investigation continues.
On Sunday afternoon a witness said: "The cordon has got a lot smaller, but there are still three forensics van here and I've seen three forensics officers. Forensics were on the canalside yesterday.
"There were putting the little yellow evidence markers down on the towpath and on the steps up to the bridge. That's where they seemed to be concentrating."
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Flowers have also been left close to where the stabbing took place. A message attached to one bunch read: "The brightest flowers for the brightest star in the sky. You was taken too soon from this world. You will be loved forever and always."
In a statement yesterday Chief Supt Phil Davies said: "Our officers have been working around the clock to identify and arrest the person responsible.
"We have a man in custody however this is still the early stages of the investigation after a woman's life was tragically taken and we are in the process of piecing together the full circumstances and are keeping an open mind. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim as well as with the community who have been deeply affected by this incident.
"I understand the nature of the incident will cause concern in our communities, not just in Tameside, but across Greater Manchester. As a result, there will be a visible increase of police officers in the area over the coming days and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to them.
"We are determined to find answers and bring the person responsible to justice. I appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything to come forwards and if you have any information that could assist our investigation – no matter how small it may seem - please share it with the police."
A neighbour on Wheler Street described hearing 'screams' as the attack unfolded, while one resident described seeing 'blood everywhere' following the alleged murder. They added: "It's terrible.
"You can’t comprehend it. So sad."
Another neighbour saw the aftermath of the stabbing as she pulled up outside her Wheeler Street home. She said: "I had just got out of the car, I could see all these cars on the side and wondered if there had been a crash or something.
"Then all the police came. I saw the police officer going like that [performing chest compressions] where the tent is now... doing CPR.
"It just makes you feel sick, really. It's on your doorstep. [Police] were looking in the water, there was an ambulance, we saw the police helicopter flying round."
Anyone with information, CCTV or video footage of the alleged murder or who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area at around noon on Friday is asked to contact GMP by calling 101 or www.gmp.police.uk quoting log 1353 of June 2.
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