Police refer themselves to watchdog because it emerges college lecturer, 48, stabbed to demise in Plymouth was identified to officers

Police have referred itself to an independent watchdog after it emerged that a woman who was found stabbed to death had been in contact with them before she died. 

University lecturer Claire Butler, 48, was found fatally wounded in the street in the West Hoe area of Plymouth on Wednesday night.

Devon and Cornwall Police launched a large-scale manhunt for 53-year-old Paul Antony Butler after naming him as a suspect in her death – before arresting him on Thursday night on suspicion of murder around 20 miles away in Liskeard.

In a statement issued confirming his detention, the force said it would be referring itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because Ms Butler had been known to officers prior to her death.

Neighbours had described Ms Butler as a ‘lovely’ person. She was a lecturer in adult nursing at the University of Plymouth and had also worked as a programme lead on an Honours course and an associate Head of School according to an online CV.

Police services are required to make mandatory referrals in circumstances – and these referrals must be made by the end of the day after it becomes clear that a referral needs to be made.

The IOPC will now assess Devon and Cornwall Police’s referral to determine whether further investigation into the police’s contact with Ms Butler is needed. 

A spokesperson for the IOPC told MailOnline: ‘We have received a referral from Devon and Cornwall Police in relation to previous contact with a woman found dead in Plymouth on 22 January. 

‘We will be assessing the referral to determine whether any investigation by the IOPC is required.’

Ms Butler was found seriously injured   in the West Hoe area on Wednesday night. She was rushed to hospital by paramedics – but tragically pronounced dead.

Neighbours on the city centre street where Ms Butler 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.’

They continued: ‘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, prior to Butler’s arrest, Chief Inspector of Local Policing Tom Cunningham declined to say whether the suspect was known to the police.

However, the force has said that the victim and her attacher were believed to have known each other. 

The force said last night following his detention it would refer itself to the IOPC due to prior contact with the lecturer before her death.

It said in a statement: ‘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.’

Tributes were paid to Ms Butler online by some of her former students at the University of Plymouth.

In remarks reported by PlymouthLive, one said: ‘Claire was my personal tutor in university and genuinely helped me through some truly difficult times. Always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. 

‘She was so proud when I finally graduated, and I told her that day that I could have never done it without her and I genuinely meant that.

‘I cannot believe it. She was truly one of the most kind-hearted souls you’d ever meet and had so, so much going for her. 

‘She was an amazing tutor, phenomenal lecturer, and a phenomenal nurse. I’m so sorry to her family and those who loved her. Absolutely devastating.’

The force previously described the attack as ‘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.

Describing the scene, an eyewitness said: ‘(It) is not looking very good.

‘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.’