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A MUM-OF-ONE allegedly stabbed to death in the street outside her home begged for help with 'blood-curdling screams' as she was knifed in front of her young daughter, neighbours have said.

Beautician Melissa Belshaw, 32, suffered "catastrophic" injuries in the attack outside her home in Wigan, Greater Manchester, yesterday afternoon.

 Melissa Belshaw, 32, suffered catastrophic injuries when she was fatally stabbed in Wigan on Wednesday afternoon
Melissa Belshaw, 32, suffered catastrophic injuries when she was fatally stabbed in Wigan on Wednesday afternoonCredit: MEN Media
 Tributes have been paid to Melissa after her horrific killing
Tributes have been paid to Melissa after her horrific killingCredit: MEN Media
 The mum-of-one was stabbed to death in the street outside her home in Wigan
The mum-of-one was stabbed to death in the street outside her home in WiganCredit: Mercury Press

Distraught neighbours say a man believed to be an ex-lover smashed glass windows from the door of her home with a golf club before the horror spilled into the street.

A neighbour, in his 40s, was also injured as he tried to tackle the knifeman but Michelle was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody.

Friends and neighbours said Melissa was about to launch a new salon as she looked to make a 'fresh start' before she was killed.

Adam Rawlings, 22, said: “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.’


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"It was like there was a scream for every blow and it went on for about two minutes - it was absolutely terrible.

His mother, Janet, 49, who also witnessed what happened, “They were the most blood-curdling screams.

“I thought the woman was getting stabbed or getting hit with the golf club over and over.

“The police came soon after... but it took about ten of them to overpower him and carry him inside one of their vans.

“Later, I heard the daughter crying outside the house so she must have found what happened to her mum.”

Another neighbour, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I can’t believe what’s happened.

She was lovely. She is going to be so sadly missed.

Step mum, Lisa Belshaw

 

“Melissa was going to open her own beauty place - the Lash Room - soon and she’d been doing it up.

“She was so friendly and would do anything for me – she was that sort of person."

One neighbour said her daughter ran into the street for help as her mum was stabbed. Building boss Chris Parr, 35, said: "It was heartbreaking hearing her cry for her mother.

"She was delirious and running about before the police got hold of her."

He added: "I saw the police grab the guy."

Melissa's stepmother, Lisa Belshaw, said the young mum was "lovely".

Ms Belshaw told 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 pal Leanne Fairhurst described Melissa as "caring and lovely".

Ms Fairhurst said: "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.

"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."

 The beautician was knifed at her home
The beautician was knifed at her homeCredit: MEN Media
 Floral tributes have been left at the scene
Floral tributes have been left at the sceneCredit: Mercury Press
 Forensic officers were seen combing the area after the horrific double knifing
Forensic officers were seen combing the area after the horrific double knifingCredit: Zenpix

 

Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels said the killing was "an absolutely tragic incident".

He said: "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."

 The young mum was stabbed to death and a man seriously injured in the double stabbing in Wigan
The young mum was stabbed to death and a man seriously injured in the double stabbing in WiganCredit: Zenpix
 Melissa died at the scene after being knifed on the residential street
Melissa died at the scene after being knifed on the residential streetCredit: Zenpix