01/07/2013

Murdered Mother 'Previously Reported Former Partner'

Greater Manchester Police has confirmed a mother-of-two found murdered at her home at the weekend, had previously reported her former partner.

Linzi Ashton, 25, is said to have previously reported 28-year-old Michael Cope for a "serious sexual offence", according to the BBC.

Ms Ashton's body was found at a house in Westbourne Road, Salford, on Saturday evening.

The police said Ashton, who has two daughters aged seven and two, had reported Mr Cope in April, and also made an allegation of assault against him a month later.

Mr Cope is wanted by police in connection with her death.

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a result of the reports it has received about the couple.

Ms Ashton's body was discovered by a relative at the weekend.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death has yet to take place, but Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Shenton said the young mother had been "brutally murdered".

(JP/CD)

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