A family has paid tribute to the ‘amazing, loving and selfless’ mother who was stabbed to death on a canal bridge near Manchester.
Michelle Hodgkinson, 51, was killed on Friday afternoon when a man attacked her on Edge Lane in Droylsden. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, she tragically died on the spot.
She was on her way to meet her mother for coffee and some groceries when she was killed, her family revealed. Those who know her say they are “totally shocked” at how “horrible her final moments were.”
Ms Hodgkinson’s loved ones added that they are ‘heartbroken’ by her death and say their ‘world has come crashing down’. They want her to be remembered for her volunteer work and how much she was “loved for helping people in her community.”
A 28-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating her murder in Tameside. He remains in police custody for questioning.
Michelle Hodgkinson, 51, (pictured with her daughter) was killed Friday afternoon when a man attacked her on Edge Lane in Droylsden. The “amazing, loving and selfless” mother is remembered for her volunteer work and how much she “loved helping people in her community”
Floral tributes were paid yesterday near the site of where Ms Hodgkinson was stabbed to death on a canal bridge near Manchester
It comes after reports came in around 12pm on Friday that a woman had been stabbed on Edge Lane in Droylsden
Forensics at the scene where Ms Hodgkinson, 51, was killed in Droylsden on Friday
The grieving family said it was a “privilege to be known and loved by” Ms Hodgkinson, who was a mother, sister, aunt and new grandmother.
“She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as a suitable adult, her charity work and loved making baskets to make people laugh,” the tribute read, adding that “she was there for everyone would be’.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has collapsed and will never be the same again.’
The family thanked the community for their “love and support” and said, “Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.”
Ms Hodgkinson will ‘never be forgotten’ and her family has vowed to ‘do everything we can to get justice’.
The tribute comes after floral tributes were left near where Ms Hodgkinson was stabbed yesterday.
A friend left her a card. It read, “Another read, ‘RIP my dear friend Michelle.
Our birthdays won’t be the same without you.
‘I’m thinking of the whole family. I can’t believe you’re gone.
“After knowing you for 45 years.
“I always love you birthday twin Sam xx.”
Another tribute, believed to be from the woman’s family, read: “The brightest flowers to the brightest star in the sky.”
“You were (sic) taken from this world too soon.
“You will be loved forever and ever.”
A 28-year-old man is being questioned by police on suspicion of murder following the incident at Edge Lane, near Ashton Canal, in Droylsden, on Friday.
A forensic tent remained on the bridge.
Resident Mallik Sheikh, 46, saw the aftermath of the tragedy. Rather, he said, “I didn’t know what had happened at first. Then I saw the police put up a cordon, so I knew it was serious.
“It wasn’t until later that I learned that the woman had been stabbed. It’s frightening that it happened so close to where I live.’
“I thought it was an accident at first,” he said. “I saw the police set up the cordon and only found out later what had happened.
“It’s terrible when something like this happens so close to where you live.”
A woman who lives nearby said: ‘I heard the screaming. It’s something I’ll never forget.
“The police and ambulance arrived quickly. It’s so sad.’
Detectives have now arrested a 28-year-old man by detectives investigating her murder in Tameside on Friday
Chief Superintendent Phil Davies, District Commander of Tameside said: ‘Our officers have been working around the clock to identify and arrest the person responsible. We have a man in custody, but this is still the early stages of the investigation after a woman was tragically killed.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and friends and with the community deeply affected by this incident. I understand the nature of the incident will be of concern in our communities, not just in Tameside, but across Greater Manchester.
As a result, there will be a visible increase in police officers in the area in the coming days and anyone who is concerned is encouraged to speak to them.
“We are determined to find answers and bring those responsible to justice. I appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything to come forward and if you have any information that could help our investigation – however small it may seem – please share it with the police.”
Police have asked anyone who has information, CCTV or video footage of this incident or who witnessed suspicious behavior in the area around 12pm yesterday to contact GMP by calling 101 or www.gmp.police. uk citing log 1353 dated 02/06/2023.
They added that information can be shared anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
