Exeter murder: Man charged after woman ‘stabbed to death in park by stranger’
A MAN has been charged with murder after a woman was reportedly stabbed to death in an Exeter park.
Cops were called to Ludwell Valley Park around 4pm on Saturday, February 18.
It followed reports a woman had been seriously assaulted by a man in possession of a knife.
The victim, who has been named as Lorna England, 74, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
She lived on a road near to the park, say police.
Cameron Davis, 30, of Exmouth, has since been charged with murder.
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It is understood Davis did not know the pensioner.
He appeared before Exeter Magistrates’ Court this morning wearing a custody-issue grey sweater.
He spoke only to confirm his name and personal details.
Davis, who was not required to enter a plea, will stand before a judge at Exeter Crown Court tomorrow.
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Tributes have since been paid to the grandma who was a "pillar of the community".
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "She's lived here for years. We've lived here for quite some time, 14 years, and she would often walk past.
"She is one of those people who would have lived here forever.
"She was just a really nice lady, I would often chat to her.
"We used to go in and out of town on the bus together quite often. She was a very smart lady.
"All of us local people walk exactly where she was walking when it happened on our way to Lidl.
"I do as well, gosh the number of times I've walked down there. It's the way all of us go."
Another anonymous neighbour added: "It's shocking. I've known her since I moved in back in 1974. Our children grew up together.
"It's horrible to hear about - it's very upsetting.
"I mean even I almost went for a walk up there on Saturday afternoon.
"We did not initially know who it was, but when the age was released and with the police car outside her house, we put two and two together.
"It's just a tragedy, for her family and her husband."
Chief Superintendent Dan Evans previously said: “Following a police appeal, an off-duty police officer spotted the suspect in the High Street in Exeter yesterday evening.
"The suspect was safely detained by armed officers outside the Yorkshire Building Society on Exeter High Street, just after 9:30pm on Saturday 18 February.
“We do not currently believe that the victim and suspect are known to each other and we are not currently seeking anyone else in connection to this murder, which is being treated as an isolated incident.
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“There will be a heightened police presence in Exeter and notably in the Wonford area of the city and it is vital that anyone with any information contacts us immediately through our call centre or by speaking with an officer near the scene."
Devon and Cornwall Police are asking anyone with information or CCTV footage to report it via the Major Incident Public Reporting site, under Operation Finnart.