Exeter Park attack: elderly victim ‘did not know’ her attacker as police say public tried to save her life

Woman in her 70s died after being fatally attacked in Exter
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Bystanders rushed to the aid of an elderly woman who was killed in a knife attack in Exeter, police have said.

Officers were called to Ludwell Valley Park in the Wonford area of the city at around 4pm on Saturday (18 February) following reports that a woman had been badly assaulted with a knife.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Emergency services and members of the public came to her aid but she died at the scene. The identity of the 74-year-old victim, who was local to the area, has not been confirmed.

Her family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

On Saturday evening, police launched a manhunt for a suspect who was seen on CCTV outside Wonford Sports Centre in the city at 3.17pm. An off-duty police officer then spotted him on the city’s High Street on Saturday.

The 30-year-old suspect, from the Exmouth area, was detained by armed officers outside the Yorkshire Building Society on the High Street at around 9.30pm. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Was the attack random?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police do not know the motive for the attack at this stage but said they do not think the victim and suspect were known to each other. They are not looking for anyone else.

On Sunday (19 February), police said they may have found a knife used in the attack as they sought to reassure the public the attack was an “isolated” one.

What have police said?

Police on the scene at Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter. Picture: Tom Wren / SWNSPolice on the scene at Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter. Picture: Tom Wren / SWNS
Police on the scene at Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter. Picture: Tom Wren / SWNS

Superintendent Tom Holmes, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Whilst this is a positive update, a major response remains in place and our investigation into this murder continues. Tonight we issued an image of a man we needed to identify. Now that we have a man in custody we no longer need the public to share this appeal; please do not speculate on the identity of the suspect or the circumstances surrounding this matter.

“A heightened police presence will remain across key areas of Exeter, including the Wonford area where a number of cordons remain in place. We are currently not looking for anyone else in connection to this offence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Even though we have a man in custody, this doesn’t mean that we are no longer appealing for information. It is vital that if you have any information relating to this incident, that you contact us immediately.

“Our thoughts are with the family and the loved ones of the victim, and we will continue to do all we can to support them during this tragic time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 999 quoting log number 600 of February 18.

Related topics: