‘Friendly’ mum-of-three, 26, stabbed to death near train station as man arrested over ‘murder’

A MAN has been arrested after a "friendly" mum-of-three was stabbed to death near a train station.

Courtney Mitchell, 26, "radiated positivity," according to one of her devastated friends.

Ms Mitchell was found fighting for life with serious stab wounds at around 7.10pm last night in Burrell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk.

She was taken to hospital where she died of her injuries a short time later.

Neighbours at the scene reported that teams of armed police rushed to the area as a manhunt was launched for her killer.

A man, 27, who is believed to have known her, was arrested on suspicion of her murder at a property in Ipswich.

He was pictured bare-chested in the street on social media as police arrested him and put him in a white forensics suit before taking him into custody.

The scene where Ms Mitchell remained cordoned off by police today with a section of Burrell Road closed off and traffic diverted.

The area close to the dockside waterfront in Ipswich has a high number of houses converted into bedsits and flats.

A skate park and paths along the banks of the River Orwell at the rear of Burrell Road also remained cordoned off.

A number of posts on Ipswich community groups described the woman as a mum-of-three who knew her alleged attacker.

Flight tracker records also show that a National Police Air Service fixed wing P68R aircraft spent nearly three hours circling over central Ipswich last night after being scrambled from its base at East Midlands Airport.

Ms Mitchell is said to have lived apart from her sons, eight and nearly two and her four-year-old daughter.

Her oldest son is said to live with his father while the younger two live with their grandmother.

The friend paid tribute to Ms Mitchell who lived in Ipswich, saying: "She was always a nice, friendly person. Every time you saw her, you would feel positivity."

Flight tracker records show that a National Police Air Service fixed wing P68R aircraft spent nearly three hours circling over central Ipswich last night after being scrambled from its base at East Midlands Airport.

It is believed that the aircraft crew were searching for a suspect.

A Suffolk Police statement confirmed that a murder investigation had been launched following “a fatal stabbing”.

It added: “Emergency services were called to Burrell Road shortly after 7.10pm following reports that a woman had been stabbed.

“Officers attended and found a woman who had suffered serious injuries. Despite treatment by emergency services personnel, the woman, aged 26, sadly died a short time later in hospital.

“A 27-year-old man from Ipswich was arrested this morning in Ipswich. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre where he will be questioned by detectives.

“A police cordon remains at the scene and a road closure is in place at Burrell Road while enquiries take place.”

Superintendent Andy Martin of Suffolk Police said: "Residents will continue to see an increased police presence in the area as our investigation continues.

"While we remain in the early stages of our enquiries, we believe the victim and the suspect are known to each other.

"We would continue to urge anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant you may feel it may be, to contact us.”

An Ipswich resident said he was "really scared"; when he heard about the incident.

The resident added: "At the end of the day it’s so sad it’s a girl in her 20s, just think about her family.”

Phil Smart, a local Labour councillor onb Ipswich Borough Council, said: "This is a truly horrific incident, and our thoughts go out to the victim and those close to her.

"Ipswich Borough Council are helping the police search through CCTV footage to identify the person or persons responsible."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact police.

Drivers with dash cameras, or anyone with CCTV or doorbell cameras in the area, are asked to review any footage between 6.30pm and 7.30pm for anything that may be relevant.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting CAD 330 of 6 August 2024 .

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers  100% anonymously on tel. 0800 555 111.