THE heartbroken family of a mum stabbed to death in her own home as her children slept have described her as “the perfect wife and most amazing mummy”.
Mother-of-two Nicola Cross, 37, was on the phone to her husband when she was attacked and killed during a botched break-in.
And her family released a statement today telling of their heartbreak at her “tragic” death.
It said: “Our Nikki is the heart and soul of our family. She was kind, generous, brave and incredibly talented. The most beautiful person inside and out, Nikki was the perfect wife and the most amazing mummy.
“She installed core belief in our children to never give up and we will continue what she has built, which is a solid loving family who will remember her with undying love.”
Neighbour Marcin Porczynski, 23, appeared in court today charged with her murder and trying to kidnap her kids — an hour after police had let him go.
Yesterday a friend told how Nicola’s husband Daniel, who was working away, was on the phone to his wife when she was attacked.
The 35-year-old pal, who lives close the couple, said: “Dan will never get that call out of his memory. He’ll have that for the rest of his life, knowing that he was too far away and could never have got to her to save her.”
The friend added that Nicola was a “wonderful woman”.
Police confirmed they had been called to a suspicious-looking man in the street outside Nicola’s house a short time before her body was found.
Officers stopped and “spoke” to the man in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, at 10.30pm on Monday. It is not known if he was searched but cops let him walk free.
An hour later police attended a separate report of a break-in at another house.
It is thought they heard a scream that led to Nicola and her distressed youngsters Stanley, six, and Isabella, three, in the garden. Her husband Daniel, 38, was working away in Hull.
One neighbour said: “The police and ambulance were called out at about 11 o’clock. The woman next door said she heard screaming.
“Later I saw a man in his 20s handcuffed in the street. I saw the children being taken away somewhere safe.”
On Tuesday Nicola’s family released a wedding picture of her in a stunning bridal gown as a tribute to her.
Warehouse worker Porczynski originally from Kielce in Poland has been charged with murder, two counts of kidnap and a burglary.
He was due to appear at Hatfield remand court today.
Meanwhile a man who claimed to have been arrested alongside Porczynski suspected of burglary said he had been “distressed and crazy”.
Robert Dziel, 19, who appears to live at the same address, said: “I was worried about him. He needs help and is not himself but none of us can believe he would have killed someone.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary has voluntarily referred itself to watchdog the IPCC, citing it as “standard procedure”.
A source said the force was “aware of the claims” surrounding the case.
Det Chief Insp Jerome Kent said: “Nicola’s family remain forefront in our minds. We understand people want answers but this is a complex investigation.”