A woman who was fatally injured in Plymouth earlier this week is a university lecturer who shell-shocked neighbours described as a ‘lovely’ person, MailOnline can reveal.
Claire Butler, 48, a lecturer in adult nursing at Plymouth University, was allegedly killed in the street in the West Hoe area on Wednesday night sparking a major police search.
On Thursday, Paul Butler, 53, was named as the only suspect with police confirming that he has now been arrested.
Claire’s home in the West Hoe area was where dozens of police units rushed to her aid following a reported stab wound shortly before 9pm on Wednesday night. Claire later died in hospital.
Neighbours on the city-centre street where Claire owned a home described their shock of her death on Thursday.
One resident who knew her told MailOnline: ‘It’s a huge shock, we only chatted to her a couple of days ago.
‘She was lovely, she moved in a couple of years ago and worked at the University, she was undertaking a Phd and lecturing in nursing.
‘Police raided the house around 10pm last night – they just told us to stay indoors.
‘She’d been away recently on business and when she came back she decided she didn’t want to live here while she was down the road so she got an apartment in West Hoe.
‘She’d only just moved her stuff in last week. She has a son and a daughter.’
During a press conference on Thursday Chief Inspector of Local Policing Tom Cunningham declined to say whether Butler was known to the police.
DI Rob Smith said before Butler’s arrest on Thursday: ‘Cordons are in place and police units remain in the area.
‘At this time the suspect remains at large and a major response is underway.
‘We have taken the steps of releasing an image of a man we need to identify in connection to the murder investigation.’
The force said the attack is believed to be ‘an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the wider public’.
Forensic officers worked through the night, with evidence markers and blood seen spattered on the pavement, and remained on scene on Thursday morning.
One eyewitness said: ‘The scene is not looking very good.
‘I arrived at quarter past nine.
‘When I arrived on the scene the incident was in its early stages and armed police had been deployed.
‘Then 15 minutes later a police area response team had arrived.’
Another witness said: ‘I’ve seen somebody being given CPR.
‘It feels like every police officer on duty tonight in Plymouth is here.’
A large cordon remains in place around the area with Devon and Cornwall Police saying streets would remain closed for the rest of the day.
DCI David Pebworth said: ‘Cordons will likely remain in place for the rest of the day and police units will remain in the area.
‘I wish to make the public aware we are looking to locate a man in relation to this incident whose identity is known, and enquiries are ongoing to find him.
‘At this time, I would like to reassure the community and further afield in Plymouth that there is no suggestion that there is a wider risk to members of the public.
‘There will be a heightened police presence and visibility in the coming days in the area as enquiries are ongoing.
‘We will of course update the public once we have further information.’
