Undated handout photo issued by Devon and Cornwall Police of Claire Chick, 48, who was found serious (Image: PA)
A 53-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a university lecturer who was stabbed to death in the street close to her home in Plymouth.
Officers were called to West Hoe Road in the southern coastal town at 8.55pm on Wednesday after reports that a woman had been seriously injured.
They found Claire Chick, 48, collapsed in a pool of blood and she was rushed to hospital but could not be revived despite frantic medical attempts, and was pronounced dead in the early hours of the following day.
After police launched a manhunt they arrested Plymouth man Paul Butler several hours later and he has now been charged with murder and will appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Butler was located and arrested in the Liskeard area of Cornwall, which is around 20 miles from Plymouth, on Thursday.
Claire Butler Police arrested Paul Anthony Butler, 53, on suspicion of murder https://researchport (Image: University of Plymouth)
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Detective Inspector Rob Smith said: “We have specialist officers in place to continue to provide support to Claire’s family.
“Our investigation is ongoing, and I would like to thank the local community for their support whilst we have carried out our enquiries over the past few days.”
Ms Chick, who was previously known as Claire Butler, worked as a lecturer at the University of Plymouth.
In a previous statement released by police, her family said: “We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick.
“She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone.
“Everyone who knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her. She was the life and soul of any place where she was.
“She loved to dance and sing, even though she was pretty bad at it; she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience.
“We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won’t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this, because no amount of justice will bring her back.
“We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her.
A murder investigation has been launched in Plymouth after the death of a woman. A woman in her 40s (Image: PlymouthLive)
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“We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won’t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this, because no amount of justice will bring her back.
“We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her.
“We also would like to remind the public she leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as ‘a favourite grandma’.
“She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud.”
University vice-chancellor Professor Richard Davies said: “We have been shocked and saddened by the death of a much-loved member of our university community.
“Having spoken with Claire’s colleagues, I know that her contribution to Plymouth was significant and deeply felt – she was a respected nurse, lecturer, and personal tutor, ensuring students were supported academically and pastorally.
“As associate head of school for international in our school of nursing and midwifery, she was closely involved in developing nursing programmes, students and academics in Europe, Africa and Asia.
“As a colleague, Claire’s humour and warmth will be dearly missed by academic and support staff.
“Pastoral support is in place for staff and students who knew Claire and have been affected by this tragic news, and further events are being organised to remember her.
“In the meantime, our thoughts are with Claire’s family and friends at this impossibly difficult time.”