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A rider who died in a suspected murder-suicide while tending to her horse had to take out a restraining order against a stalker who was hounding her, it emerged today.
Part-time model Gracie Spinks was found seriously injured in the picturesque village of Duckmanton in Derbyshire on Friday morning and later died at the scene.
Roads in and out of the area were cordoned off after her assailant reportedly fled towards a country park.
A primary school went into lockdown and local businesses were issued with a description of a suspect in grey jogging bottoms and a black top.
But by lunchtime police said the situation had been ‘resolved’ after the body of a man in his 30s was discovered around half a mile away.
Now friends of the 23-year-old, who lived in Old Whittington, around five miles from where her body was found, have revealed how she had long been bothered by a man, said to have been ‘obsessed’ with her.
One told the Sun: ‘We are aware that she had a stalker but didn’t know who he was. We heard she had taken out a restraining order against him because he was becoming quite a pest.
‘She’s a beautiful young woman, very popular, and he was obsessed with her and kept turning up at the stables. He was infatuated with her.’
Today, police, who have declined declined to discuss the possibility Gracie had a stalker known to them, continued to investigate at the scene.
Floral tributes have also been left in memory of the aspiring eventer and show jumper, whose family are said to be ‘besides themselves with grief’.
Part-time model Gracie Spinks, 23, was found seriously injured in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, yesterday morning but died at the scene
A forensic tent is set up in the picturesque Derbyshire village, where the 23-year-old’s body was found on Friday morning
Today, police, who have declined declined to discuss the possibility Gracie had a stalker known to them, continued to investigate at the scene
Floral tributes have also been left in memory of the aspiring eventer and show jumper, whose family are said to be ‘besides themselves with grief’
Friends said she lived for horses and riding and took part in showjumping and dressage competitions with her favourite, named Paddy
A map graphic shows the close distance – around half a mile – between where the two bodies were discovered yesterday
A villager, 28, who lives close to the spot where Miss Spinks was found, said: ‘The word locally is that this was a very vicious attack and possibly a crime of passion.
‘Gracie kept at least one horse on the land – it is grazing land where a number of people have horses and there is a temporary stable.
‘As I understand it, Gracie was looking after her horse when she was attacked. It is just awful.’
Friends said she lived for horses and riding and took part in showjumping and dressage competitions with her favourite, named Paddy.
After Derbyshire Police set up roadblocks around the community close to the M1 outside Chesterfield yesterday, a local resident wrote on Facebook: ‘I’ve been informed that, sadly, less than an hour ago a young woman was murdered on a farm less than half a mile from Poolsbrook Park.
‘The perpetrator… is believed to have fled towards the area of Poolsbrook Park. Anyone around that area please be careful.’
Friends of Miss Spinks, who worked for a local e-commerce company, posted tributes on Facebook last night.
Charlotte Pemberton, 23, who grew up with her, wrote: ‘RIP Gracie. Such a beautiful, kind young girl who’s been taken far too soon. Fly high sweet girl.’
Alicia Jordan wrote: ‘Oh Gracie Spinks… Heartbroken doesn’t even cut it… This world is so cruel.’
Friends of Miss Spinks, who worked for a local e-commerce company, posted tributes on Facebook last night with many saying she lived for horses and riding
Locals leave floral tributes in memory of Gracie Spinks at the scene where her body was discovered on Friday morning
An aerial shot shows the extent of the police cordon as detectives continue to investigate the tragedy in Derbyshire today
Derbyshire Police, pictured at the scene today, said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths
Roads in and out of the area were cordoned off after her assailant reportedly fled towards a country park and investigations continue today
It is understood that Miss Spinks, who had studied art and design at Chesterfield College, did occasional modelling work for a London agency and took commissions online to do pet portraits
Roads in and out of Duckmanton in Derbyshire were cordoned off after her assailant reportedly fled towards a country park (pictured)
It is understood that Miss Spinks, who had studied art and design at Chesterfield College, did occasional modelling work for a London agency and took commissions online to do pet portraits.
Derbyshire Police said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
The force said: ‘A woman was found injured in a field near to Staveley Road at around 8.40am. Paramedics attended and the woman, who was in her early 20s, sadly died at the scene.
‘At 11am, the body of a man in his mid-30s was found in a field off Tom Lane, Duckmanton.
‘We have traced and informed both families and specialist officers are supporting them at this time.’
