The mother of a woman who was stabbed to death in front of her 13-year-old daughter has branded her killer a ‘monster’.
Melissa Belshaw, 32, was killed at her home in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday afternoon.
She was said to have screamed for help as an ‘ex-lover smashed his way into her house with a golf club before killing her’, neighbours said.
Her mother Jean Mulvaney said she had lost the ‘most important person’ in her life and added that if she did not also have two sons she would have taken her own life ‘to be with Melissa’.
Police were called to the Wigan home by Ms Belshaw’s daughter, who was praised by officers for dialling 999 despite having just witnessed the attack.
A man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder following the double stabbing – which also left a neighbour who tried to intervene seriously hurt.
Melissa Belshaw (pictured left), 32, was killed in a double stabbing in Wigan, Greater Manchester, at just before 4.10pm on Wednesday afternoon. Her mother Jean Mulvaney (right) has branded the woman’s killer a ‘monster’
Officers found Ms Belshaw with ‘catastrophic’ injuries, but despite the efforts of paramedics, pronounced her dead at the scene.
Speaking of her daughter, Ms Mulvaney told The Sun Online: ‘She was a beautiful child and the most important person in my life.
‘Now some monster has taken her away from me. My two sons – Lee and Nathan – are distraught. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here now I’d be with Melissa.’
The mother added that she hoped ‘we get some justice now’ as she revealed Ms Belshaw had planned to open her own beauty shop.
Speaking on Thursday, Superintendent Chris Bridge praised Ms Belshaw’s daughter for her actions in calling the police.
‘This lady’s 13-year-old daughter was present at the time,’ he told the Manchester Evening News.
‘As a result of her contacting police, we were able to attend and arrest this man.
‘I cannot possibly image what this girl is going through. It must [have been] an horrendous experience.’
Neighbour Adam Rawlings, 22, said he saw a man breaking glass on the door of Ms Belshaw’s home using a golf club while the mother could be heard screaming.
Police pictured at the scene on Upholland Road in Wigan on Wednesday. Neighbour Adam Rawlings, 22, said he saw a man breaking glass on the door using a golf club
He told Sun Online: ‘I heard these loud noises and when I looked I could see [a man] was smashing the glass on the door with the golf club.
‘The lady came out of her house and moved up the road and I heard her daughter shouting, “Call the police.”
‘It was like there was a scream for every blow and it went on for about two minutes – it was absolutely terrible.’
Another neighbour, Chris Parr, 35, earlier said the victim’s daughter ran outside calling for help following the incident.
Ms Belshaw’s stepmother, Lisa Belshaw, paid tribute to the mother-of-one. She said the beautician would ‘do anything’ for her teenage daughter.
A tribute at the scene on Upholland Road in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on Thursday morning. Ms Belshaw’s stepmother, Lisa Belshaw, said the victim would ‘do anything’ for her daughter
‘She was lovely,’ Lisa said. ‘She is going to be so sadly missed. I got a phone call saying a man had gone into her house and stabbed her. I had no idea she had died until I read it on Facebook.’
Close friend Leanne Fairhurst described Ms Belshaw as ‘caring and lovely’.
‘She had a good heart,’ she added. ‘She was so outgoing and was always smiling and loved a good time. When we used to go parties, Melissa was always the one trying make everybody laugh.’
Ms Fairhurst said she was still in shock at the news of her friend’s death.
She added: ‘Someone told me what had happened and I did not believe it so I rang her, but her phone was off. I just broke down in tears when I found out. I have lost a good friend and I am going to miss her so much.’
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in custody for questioning.
Mother-of-one Ms Belshaw, pictured. She has been described by her friends as ‘outgoing’, ‘always smiling’ and ‘always the one trying to make everybody laugh’
Forensics were at the scene in Wigan on Wednesday afternoon after Belshaw was found with ‘catastrophic’ injuries, but was unable to be saved by paramedics
Police are continuing to investigate after the attack, which also saw a man in his 40s injured
A scene remains in place in Upholland Road while investigation work is carried out.
One witness, who has asked not to be named, said he saw two men fighting next to the One Stop shop, near to the junction with Crank Road.
He added: ‘They both fell into the middle of the road. I had to swerve around them.
‘The man on top looked to be trying to stab the man on the floor with a large knife. By the time I had passed police were at the scene.’
Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels said: ‘Firstly our thoughts are with the lady’s loved ones after this absolutely tragic incident.
‘We will offer them full support and do all that we can to provide them with much deserved answers.
‘Our thoughts also remain with the man who is currently in hospital and receiving treatment. Our specially trained officers will continue to support his family at this difficult time.
Officers yesterday arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
A scene is in place on Upholland Road while investigation work is carried out, police said
‘Clearly this investigation is in its very early stages and we are working to ensure that we follow every line of enquiry.
‘We understand that this news will likely cause concern among the local community but I would like to stress that at this stage we do believe this to be an isolated incident.
‘There will be a higher police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to please speak to these officers who are there to offer support and help.
‘I would also urge anyone with information to please get in contact with us as even the smallest detail could progress our investigation significantly.’
A scene remains in place whilst investigation work is carried out, police said.
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 1981 of 20/05/20. Reports can also be made to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.