We will fight so women feel safe... we can't let Gracie's death be in vain
The Sunday Mirror|September 29, 2024
MEMORIES of the daughter they adored are dotted around the house, from horseshoes spelling out her name on the garden wall to her beloved mermaid ornaments on the fairylight tree in the lounge.
CATHERINE JONES
We will fight so women feel safe... we can't let Gracie's death be in vain

Then there are the photos: Gracie Spinks as a baby, as a schoolgirl, riding her horse Paddy, and as a beautiful young woman in a shimmering dress on a cruise trip.

"She did loads of karaoke on that holiday. Songs from Les Miserables or the Lion King," says her mum, Alison Ward, 53. "She loved singing and dancing."

Gracie's life was cut horribly short aged 23, when she was murdered by a stalker, her ex-colleague Michael Sellers.

She had already reported Sellers, 35, to police for following her, but he was simply given "words of advice".

And on June 18, 2021, as she tended to her horse before work, he repeatedly stabbed her.

Now, as Office for National Statistics figures show 1.5 million people in England and Wales were stalked last year, her parents are campaigning for drastic improvements in policing.

Alison says: "We can't let Gracie's death be in vain."

An inquest into Gracie's death heard that a rucksack belonging to Sellers containing an axe, hunting knives, Viagra, and a note that read "Don't lie" had been found nearby by a dog walker six weeks earlier - but the PC tasked with investigating had "no blazing concerns".

If police had probed, they would have found harassment complaints lodged by eight further women Sellers worked with, the hearing was told.

After an inquest jury ruled that Gracie was unlawfully killed, Det Supt Darren Death, of Derbyshire Police, apologised to her family. He said: "Put simply, as a force we failed Gracie - and for that I can only offer my own, and the force's, most sincere apologies."

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 29, 2024-Ausgabe von The Sunday Mirror.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 29, 2024-Ausgabe von The Sunday Mirror.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE SUNDAY MIRRORAlle anzeigen
Kulusevski: These are my games...we can hurt Reds
The Sunday Mirror

Kulusevski: These are my games...we can hurt Reds

EJAN KULUSEVSKI is relishing he first of three huge meetings ith Liverpool - insisting ottenham have the tools to hurt\" Arne Slot's Premier eague pace-setters.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 22, 2024
Steely Keely
The Sunday Mirror

Steely Keely

SPOTY queen has 'already beaten 800m world record'

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
On the Rocky road to stardom
The Sunday Mirror

On the Rocky road to stardom

ROCKY FLINTOFF is already the youngest cricketer to be picked for an England Lions tour.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 22, 2024
Drivers go green
The Sunday Mirror

Drivers go green

Gold, yellow and purple cars are also top choices..but pink stinks

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
GOING THE EXTRA MILL
The Sunday Mirror

GOING THE EXTRA MILL

Mirror sees our biggest paper recyclers working flat out

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 22, 2024
The Sunday Mirror

It's bank of mum & debt

MUMS and dads who helped their kids on to the property ladder now want their money back as they battle the soaring cost of living.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
I'm working in a winter wonderland
The Sunday Mirror

I'm working in a winter wonderland

Coolest grandad spends Xmas in Antarctic with penguins and seals

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 22, 2024
If it was my child missing I'd want people rushing to help
The Sunday Mirror

If it was my child missing I'd want people rushing to help

INVESTMENT banker James Walker leads a double life.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 22, 2024
People will hate Cindy even more after this story
The Sunday Mirror

People will hate Cindy even more after this story

Actress on festive EastEnders bombshell

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 22, 2024
FORCES STAY ON FESTIVE STANDBY
The Sunday Mirror

FORCES STAY ON FESTIVE STANDBY

10,000 ready for any Xmas action

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024