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A murder investigation has been launched after a 26-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in Newton Heath, Manchester, in the early hours of Thursday, 15 October.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a disturbance on Dorking Avenue at around 2:00 am. Officers discovered the victim, officially named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels, suffering from severe injuries consistent with knife wounds. Despite the prompt efforts of attending emergency medical teams and first responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Additionally, a 61-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three individuals remain in custody for questioning.
The violent incident sparked significant disruption across neighbouring streets. Terrified local residents on Briscoe Lane and surrounding roads reported waking up to intense shouting, screams, and commotion shortly before 2:00 am. Eyewitnesses described seeing a suspect attempting to flee the scene in a vehicle, causing collisions with other cars. One resident described seeing police drag a suspect from a car after the driver attempted to smash into a police patrol van on Briscoe Lane.
A major cordon was established throughout Newton Heath, leading to road closures across Edmonton Road, Briscoe Lane, Crayford Road, and Staplehurst Road. Specialist forensic teams erected three separate forensic tents in the neighbourhood—two on Staplehurst Road and one on Edmonton Road. Crime scene investigators were photographed inspecting vehicle interiors on Crayford Road, dusting damaged cars, and combing the residential avenues for physical evidence.
Detective Inspector Paul Costello, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, confirmed that specialist family liaison officers are supporting Ms Samuels' family, who have formally requested privacy during this difficult time. DI Costello stated that while formal identification has not yet concluded, the believed family has been notified. He reassured the local community that three suspects are in custody and emphasised that detectives are working tirelessly to establish whether anyone else was involved. A heavy, high-visibility police presence remains active in the area while multi-scene inquiries continue.
Greater Manchester Police are urgently appealing for any witnesses or anyone holding relevant information, CCTV, mobile phone recordings, or doorbell footage to contact detectives directly on 0161 856 5464, or use the LiveChat feature on the GMP website. Information and digital media can also be submitted online via the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) under operation reference 06GMP26S62-PO1. Those wishing to provide details completely anonymously can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 55
5 111.
