Terrified Bournemouth residents scared to exit following homicide
Terrified women living in Bournemouth have said they are too scared to go out at night following the brutal murder of a 34-year-old mother whose killer is still on the loose.
Amie Gray, a personal trainer and women’s football coach from nearby Poole, was found with stab wounds on Durley Chine Beach shortly before midnight on Friday and died at the scene.
Dorset Police said a second woman, aged 38 and also from Poole, was still being treated after she was seriously injured in the horrific attack.
Officers arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder but have now released him without charge. A hooded suspect caught on CCTV is still at large and the public have been warned not to approach him.
As police continue their manhunt, worried women have expressed their fears that a killer is still on the run.
Cathy Jacques said: ‘I would suggest putting out a warning for women not to go out after dark right now as the killer is still out there. Bournemouth isn’t safe anymore and hasn’t been for a few years now.’
Amie Gray, a women’s football coach, is seen holding an award for clubwoman of the year. She tragically died on Friday
Police released CCTV images of the Bournemouth stabbing suspect on Sunday. They are continuing to hunt the man – but worried women have said they are too scared to go out
Sian Gray (left) – wife of murder victim Amie Gray (right) – has scattered rose petal in her memory
Amie, who was killed in Bournemouth, has been described as a ‘beautiful person inside and out’
She added: ‘I was sure that it was worded before that these CCTV images were of the 17-year-old in custody. But now he has been released and now looking for the guy in CCTV images? I’m confused.’
Leanne Cotton said: ‘So for three days this man has been loose to roam the streets still due to you suggesting you had the man responsible? Great work Dorset Police.’
And Gemma Heawood added: ‘So scary to know whoever did it is still out there.’
On Sunday, Amie’s wife, Sian Gray, and their daughter paid tribute by scattering rose petals into the sea where she died at sunset. They looked up at the sky and told her they love her.
Sian, who also shared the police’s CCTV appeal, said: ‘Sunsets will always remind us of you Amie Gray. Forever loved wife and mother.’
Friend Michelle Small said: ‘Devastated by this. Worked with Amie Gray in her very first job when she turned 17.
‘She was always the kindest lovely young girl and continued to be so throughout her cruelly cut short life. RIP beautiful girl.’
Nicola Smale, another friend, said: ‘Fly high Amie Gray, I’ll miss you so much. I feel so heavy! You were such a good friend and someone I could call about anything. A beautiful person inside and out, thank you for all the laughs and memories I will cherish forever.’
Police seen today using a winch and ropes on the cliff above Durley Chine
Officers pictured using metal detectors on the beach today, in a possible search for weapon
A police forensics officer scours Durley Chine Beach for evidence on Saturday after the attack
Alice Fraser added: ‘You lit up the room with your fun and bubbly presence.’
Police today confirmed a 17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder had been released after being ‘eliminated from inquiries’.
Police have released CCTV of a suspect and warned the public not to approach him.
Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey, of the major crime investigation team, said: ‘The investigation into this tragic incident is progressing and detectives are dedicated to finding out what happened and ensuring our communities remain safe and secure.
‘We need the public’s help to identify the suspect in the CCTV images. If you recognise him or have any information, no matter how small, that may lead us to his identity please get in touch immediately.
‘We would ask the public not to approach a suspect under any circumstances, but to call 999 immediately.
Flowers were left Amie and a second stabbing victim who remains seriously injured
A police officer stands guard at the cordon underneath Bournemouth Pier on Saturday
‘Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the woman who tragically lost her life and the surviving victim as we drive forward our investigation.’
CCTV of the suspect were released on Sunday evening, with DS Dixey asking anyone who may have seen the person pictured or anything unusual to come forward.
Officers with metal detectors and sniffer dogs were seen combing the beach, leading to suggestions they may have been searching for the murder weapon.
Flowers have been laid in tribute to Ms Gray on the other side of the mile-long police cordon extending to Bournemouth Pier.
The victim was the head ladies coach for Dorset Football Club where members said they ‘couldn’t put this into words at this time’.
The club’s profile picture was changed to a black square. A picture posted by one of Ms Gray’s relatives showed her with an award, which she had received for her work with the club.
‘So sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful person,’ a friend commented.
Bournemouth West MP Sir Conor Burns said: ‘Yet another tragic, brutal event locally.
‘One will want to reassure the public that one of the reasons that these events are still so newsworthy is that they are still so relatively rare.
‘We want to hear quickly from the police what they are finding and hope that this is an isolated, random act of violence.’
Police cordoned off a mile-long stretch of beach to the west of Bournemouth Pier on Saturday
A forensic officer takes a photograph of evidence on the beach in Dorset
Mr Dixey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, added that speculation online about the ‘horrendous incident’ was ‘unhelpful’.
Jo Taylor, from nearby Christchurch, said she was already nervous about coming into Bournemouth and added that knife crime was not being punished severely enough.
A couple visiting the resort said: ‘We’ve come all the way from Bethnal Green to find a stabbing here in sunny Bournemouth.’
Ali Townsend, 50, a marketing director on holiday from Cheltenham with her husband and son, said: ‘It is just awfully tragic that a young woman has died and another is fighting for her life.
‘We are staying near to where it happened and were thinking of going for a walk last night but decided not to.
‘The increased police presence means I don’t feel scared but something like this puts things into perspective.’
