Pictured: Jillian Grant, 38, was found dead on Monday
A man has been charged with the murder of a ‘friendly and loving’ blind woman whose body was discovered in his home following an arson incident on Christmas Day.
Mark Smith of Tennyson Terrace, North Shields, has been charged with the murder of 38-year-old Jillian Grant and also attempted murder following an arson on East Cheap, Heaton, Newcastle.
Smith, 41, will appear in court at North Shields on December 29.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: ‘Following the arson incident in East Cheap, officers conducted a search of Smith’s property on Tennyson Terrace which lead to the discovery of Jillian Grant’s body.’
Emergency services – including a bomb disposal unit – were sent to the Tennyson Terrace property.
Miss Grant lived in York Court in Wallsend, around four miles away from where she was found, and was described as ‘kind’ and ‘lovely’ by devastated friends and family.
A spokesperson for her family said: ‘Jillian was the kind of person who would stop and have a chat with a stranger in the street.
Police arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder after they recovered the body of a woman on Monday
‘She was friendly, loving and full of life – it was a genuine pleasure to be around her.
‘She surrounded herself with her pets, who she loved to care for Jillian also had an independent spirit, she didn’t let blindness stand in her way as she took up opportunities to travel and be a speaker for the RNIB.
‘Above all, she was deeply loved by her family and will be missed by all who knew her.’
A neighbour who wished to remain anonymous told MailOnline he last saw her on Wednesday, December 20 after a middle-aged man arrived at her door.
Neighbours claim that the smoke-damaged bungalow on East Cheap, Heaton, is owned by Linda and Graham Smith – a couple in their 60’s.
The white front door leading into the house had clearly been scorched during the fire, and dark smoke stained the insides of the living room windows.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Anderson, who is leading the investigation, said Jillian’s family were being looked after by police liaison officers.
‘We believe those involved were known to each other. Jillian’s family are currently being supported by specialist liaison officers.’
A neighbour of Jillian’s who did not wish to be named said: ‘Jill was lovely, I used to see her everyday.
‘She used to come downstairs and get in her taxi and I would hold the door open for her. She was always funny and so lovely, she had a great laugh.
Christmas Day murder investigation: Jillian’s body was discovered in a flat around 4.2 miles from her house
‘The last time I saw her was the Wednesday before Christmas. I saw a man at the door outside her flat.’
The neighbour’s partner added: ‘It is heartbreaking, especially at this time of year. ‘It’s the last thing you would expect around here.’
Grieving friends have left touching tributes on social media after hearing the news.
Martin James Owens-Cairns wrote: ‘The last time I saw her was with on December 10, after a show. She was such a lovely brave woman.
‘I shared the metro home with her and she was telling me how much she loves music and loved to listen to the radio – Especially Ken Bruce. She was visually impaired but still had the guts to get up and sing Everybody Dance by Chic. Last thing she said to me was keep in touch – we should meet again.’
Police requested support from the Royal Logistics Corps bomb squad on Monday
While former school friend Mandy O’Malley added: ‘I knew her from school. She was lovely and wouldn’t have hurt a soul. My thoughts are with your family. I hope they get justice for you.’
Residents of Tennyson Terrace, where Jill’s body was found, have described they shock at seeing forensic officers burst into the flat just before midnight on Christmas Day.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It was just a normal Christmas and then we saw the bomb squad on the street and police running all over the place and you just think ‘Oh God, what’s happened?’.
‘The bomb van was here until about 5pm and we thought that was probably the end of whatever had been happening.
‘But, at around midnight, my daughter woke me up and said police in white suits were going in and out of one of my neighbour’s houses.
‘I went out because I was concerned for the man who lives there and I was asking if he was alright. The police just told us to get back inside as it was a crime scene.
‘I’ve known the man who lives in that house for nine years, he keeps himself to himself but he’s really canny. He’s quiet but nice.’
Another resident said: ‘There was quite a gap between the bomb team going and the forensics coming in.
‘Everyone was gobsmacked when they found out a body had been found. Nobody seems to know who the woman could be.
‘The police said there was nothing to worry about when the bomb squad were here but they haven’t said much since the forensics came. They’ve knocked on a few doors and asked people if they have seen or heard anything but nobody has.’
One woman, who lives on the street with her family, had just returned from celebrating Christmas Day at a relative’s when they saw the road flooded with police.
She said: ‘It’s not normally the kind of street where the police are called – it’s usually quite quiet.
‘It’s horrible to think someone has died on Christmas Day. We know the man who lives in the house but only to say hello to. He’s lived there a while.’
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