Tributes have poured in for a ‘much-loved’ young woman who was stabbed to death inside a flat in Birmingham – as the alleged ‘killer’ is charged with her murder.
Shannon Stanley, 27, was discovered with multiple knife wounds at a property on Mount Pleasant, in Small Heath, at 12.30am on Tuesday.
Pablo Hoad, also 27, was arrested from a house near the scene around half an hour later, and has now been formally charged with murder.
A 24-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday but has since been released on police bail.
Locals said they were ‘shocked’ that such a ‘horrific’ crime could happen ‘on their doorstep’.
West Midlands Police released the first picture of murdered Shannon as her family paid an emotional tribute to her.
In a statement, her family said: ‘Shannon was a much-loved daughter, sister, niece and cousin. She had many friends that also loved her dearly.
‘She will be missed by us all and we ask as a family that we are allowed to grieve privately at this sad time.’
Mr Hoad remains in police custody and is set to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Shannon was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of medics and police say her family are now being supported by specialist officers.
A West Midlands Police spokeperson added: ‘We’re continuing our enquires in the area and thank everyone who has helped so far by supplying information and CCTV
Neighbours living on the street reacted with horror to the death on their doorstep and said they believed the property was used as student accommodation.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: ‘There’s always people coming and going from that address.
‘I think it might be used as student accommodation. I know the woman living there had only been there a year or two so she may have been a student too.
‘It’s a pretty horrific thing to happen on your doorstep, we are a close-knit community so this has shocked everyone. Your heart goes out to the families involved.’
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said previously: ‘We were called at 12.19am in the early hours of Tuesday morning to reports of an incident at an address on Mount Pleasant in Small Heath, Birmingham.
‘Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic attended.
‘Upon arrival we found a woman. She was assessed and had sustained life threatening injuries. She received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff.
‘Unfortunately, it became clear that nothing more could be done to save her and she was confirmed deceased.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk quoting log number 78 of May 10.