A family has paid tribute to the ‘amazing, loving, and selfless’ mother who was stabbed to death on a canal bridge near Manchester.
Michelle Hodgkinson, 51, was killed on Friday afternoon when a man attacked her on Edge Lane in Droylsden. Despite best efforts of the emergency services, she tragically passed away at the scene.
She had been on her way to meet her mother for coffee and some shopping when the she was murdered, her family revealed. Those who know her say they are ‘utter shock’ at how ‘horrific her last moments were’.
Ms Hodgkinson’s loved ones added that they are ‘heartbroken’ by her death and say their ‘world has crumbled’. They want her to be remembered for her volunteering efforts and how much she ‘loved helping people in her community’.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating her murder in Tameside. He remains in police custody for questioning.
Michelle Hodgkinson, 51, (pictured with her daughter) was killed on Friday afternoon when a man attacked her on Edge Lane in Droylsden. The ‘amazing, loving, and selfless’ mother is remembered for her volunteering efforts and how much she ‘loved helping people in her community’
Floral tributes were left yesterday near to the scene where Ms Hodgkinson was stabbed to death on a canal bridge near Manchester
It comes after reports came in at around 12pm on Friday that a woman had been stabbed on Edge Lane in Droylsden
Forensics at the scene where Ms Hodgkinson, 51, was murdered in Droylsden on Friday
The grieving family said it was a ‘privilege to have been known and loved by’ Ms Hodgkinson, who was a mother, sister, aunt and a new grandmother.
‘She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile,’ the tribute read, adding that ‘she would be there for anyone’.
‘Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same.’
The family thanked the community for their ‘love and support’ and said: ‘Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.’
Ms Hodgkinson will ‘never be forgotten’ and her family has vowed to do ‘everything we can to get justice’.
The tribute comes after floral tributes were left yesterday near the scene where Ms Hodgkinson was stabbed.
A pal left a card for her. It read: ‘Another read: ‘RIP my lovely friend Michelle.
‘Our birthdays won’t be the same without you.
‘Thinking of all the family. Can’t believe you’re gone.
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‘After knowing you for 45 years.
‘Love always your birthday twin Sam xx.’
Another tribute, believed to be from the woman’s family, read: ‘The brightest flowers for the brightest star in the sky.
‘You was (sic) taken too soon from this world.
‘You will be loved forever and always.’
A 28-year-old man is being quizzed by police on suspicion of murder following the incident on Edge Lane, near to Ashton Canal, in Droylsden, on Friday.
A forensic tent remained in place on the bridge.
Resident Mallik Sheikh, 46, saw the aftermath of the tragedy. He said previously: ‘I didn’t know what had happened at first. I then saw the police putting up a cordon so I knew it was serious.
‘It was only later I found out the woman had been stabbed. It’s frightening that his has happened so close to where I live.’
‘At first I thought it was an accident,’ he said. ‘I saw the police putting up the cordon and only later found what happened.
‘It’s terrible when something like this happens so near to where you live.’
One woman, who lives nearby said: ‘I heard the screams. It’s something I’ll never forget.
‘The police and ambulance arrived fast. It is so sad.’
Detectives have now 28-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating her murder in Tameside on Friday
Chief Superintendent Phil Davies, Tameside’s District Commander said: ‘Our officers have been working around the clock to identify and arrest the person responsible. We have a man in custody however this is still the early stages of the investigation after a woman’s life was tragically taken and we are in the process of piecing together the full circumstances and are keeping an open mind.
‘Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim as well as with the community who have been deeply affected by this incident. I understand the nature of the incident will cause concern in our communities, not just in Tameside, but across Greater Manchester.
‘As a result, there will be a visible increase of police officers in the area over the coming days and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to them.
‘We are determined to find answers and bring the person responsible to justice. I appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything to come forwards and if you have any information that could assist our investigation – no matter how small it may seem – please share it with the police.’
Police have asked anyone with information, CCTV or video footage regarding this incident or have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area at around 12pm yesterday, to contact GMP by calling 101 or www.gmp.police.uk quoting log 1353 of 02/06/2023.
They added that information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
