Pictured: Mother, 33, accused of murdering ‘on-off boyfriend’ on Christmas Day – as tributes pour in for father-of-six
A young mother charged with the murder of her ‘on-off’ boyfriend Louis Price has been pictured for the first time.
Kirsty Carless, 33 – who is also known as Kirsty Cribb – has been remanded into custody following a court appearance on Saturday.
She is accused of killing the father-of-six, whom his devastated family have paid tribute to as being ‘big hearted’ and ‘always having a smile on his face’.
Mr Price, 31, who has four daughters and two sons, was brutally stabbed to death in his own home on Christmas Day.
The keen fisherman and footballer was fatally knifed in the property where he lived with his parents in the quiet Staffordshire village of Norton Canes.
Emergency services were called to reports of a man in cardiac arrest at about 3.25am at a house in Elm Road, but he sadly died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
Mr Price’s heartbroken parents Graham and Eleanor Price were given the shattering news whilst on a dream getaway and have since raced back to the UK, locals claimed.
Carless from nearby Cannock – pictured on social media with long dark hair – was arrested shortly after her partner’s death and charged with murder on Saturday morning.
Kirsty Carless, 33, has been pictured for the first time after being charged with the murder of her ‘on-off’ boyfriend
Louis Price, pictured, was attacked and killed in his own home in the early hours of Christmas Day
Staffordshire Police said officers were called to a report of a man in his 30s in cardiac arrest on Elm Road, Norton Canes, at around 3.25am on Christmas Day
She made a brief appearance at North Staffordshire Justice Centre where she was remanded into custody.
A post mortem has taken place but police are not divulging the cause of his death saying it will be a ‘matter for an inquest in due course’.
Locals have now revealed that they heard the victim was stabbed to death.
Neighbours in the usually peaceful, close knit square where Mr Price lived told of their horror as they were woken in the middle of the morning by flashing police and ambulance lights.
A mother-of-three, who lives two doors away from the house of horror told MailOnline: ‘It was about 4.30am on Christmas Day when I heard something, it woke me up, and it was a girl crying loudly and saying over and again, “No, no no!”
‘I didn’t know what was going on but it sounded serious, I looked outside and the emergency services were everywhere.’
The woman, who asked not to be named, added: ‘We found out later that then young man who lived there with his parents had been killed by someone know to him. We heard he was stabbed to death with a knife.
‘His poor parents were away on holiday when it happened, They usually go away to the Maldives for Christmas and that may have been where they were.
‘They will be absolutely devastated and my heart goes out to them.
They found Mr Price gravely injured and he died despite the efforts of paramedics
Mr Price was described by neighbours as a ‘loving’ and ‘proud’ parent
The keen fisherman and footballer was fatally knifed in the property. Pictured: Norton Canes, Staffordshire
‘I cannot imagine anything worse than being overseas on holiday and finding out your child has been murdered in the family home, and on Christmas Day.
‘Nobody deserves that. It has shocked and saddened the whole little community here. It is beyond belief.’
The woman continued: ‘The young man who died was a lovely lad. He lived with his dad, who is a builder, and his step mum, who worked at a local care home.
‘They kept themselves to themselves, and were a decent, hard working family.
‘Louis was a devoted dad but had a volatile relationship with his partner. They have several children together and she has kids from another relationship.’
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said that ‘specialist officers were continuing to support Louis’ family at this difficult time’.
In a heartfelt tribute his family said: ‘Louis was well-loved by his family and closest friends. He was a well-known member of the community, always had a smile on his face and brought a positive energy to anywhere he went.
‘He always had time for anyone and would help anyone he could. Louis was a devoted fisherman, he had a passion for fishing and regularly went away on trips with friends and family. He loved football, he played for a team and was a life-long supporter of Aston Villa.
‘As a family we are devastated at losing Louis. Life will never be the same without him, he leaves a huge hole in the lives of everyone who knew him. Christmas is a time we have always spent together as a family, to lose Louis at this time is even harder.
The modest end of terrace home in Norton Canes, near Cannock, Staffordshire, remains sealed off by police as a crime scene
Neighbours have told of their ‘shock’ and ‘sadness’ at the ‘horrific’ death virtually on their doorsteps
Flowers for the victim, in his early 30’s, have been placed at the front gate under a cordon
‘Louis leaves behind his Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister, along with his six children. He has four daughters and two sons who he loved dearly. Louis had a big heart, he loved those closest to him.
‘As a family, we would like to ask people to respect our privacy during this difficult time and we ask that people don’t speculate about what has happened.’
After Carless was charged with murder, the victim’s niece Emme Luker vowed: ‘We will get justice Uncle Lou.
She had previously posted: ‘My uncle Louis was murdered early hours this morning (Christmas Day).
‘RIP Uncle Lou. I am in utter shock this has happened. You didn’t deserve this.
‘Always there when I needed you. Thank you for always having my back and making me laugh! Justice will be served. Love you forever.’
The force investigating his murder has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to recent police contact.
