Woman tragically stabbed to dying revealed as college lecturer and ‘beautiful’ mum
Claire Butler, 48, died after being stabbed in her city-centre home in Plymouth – as police said they arrested 53-year-old Paul Butler under suspicion of murder
A woman who was brutally stabbed to death in Plymouth earlier this week was a much-loved university lecturer. Neighbours of Claire Butler, 48, described the adult nursing lecturer with Plymouth University as a “lovely” mum.
Claire was allegedly killed in the street in the West Hoe area of the city on Wednesday night. Police have arrested Paul Butler, 53, under suspicion of murder and named him as the only suspect in the case.
The emergency services rushed to Claire’s home after a reported stab wound before 9pam on Wednesday. The lecturer was rushed to hospital before she was tragically pronounced dead.
Residents of the city-centre street where Claire owned a home were shocked by her death. 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.”
The Police said in a statement that Mr Butler had been arrested. It read: “Paul Antony Butler, 53, who was wanted in connection to the death of a woman in Plymouth has been located and arrested in Liskeard.
“He is currently in police custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“Police were notified last night, Wednesday 22 January, to reports of a woman serious injured on West Hoe Road. Paramedics attended the scene where she was taken to hospital. Sadly, the woman, who was in her 40s, was pronounced deceased.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this time who we are continuing to support.
“Officers would like to thank the local community for their assistance and their patience while our enquiries continue into this incident.
“A mandatory referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact with the victim. This is normal procedure in these circumstances.
“Members of the public can report information that may help the wider investigation through our Major Incident Public Portal.”
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