Carl Hardy and Tony Evans, both 19, have been charged with murder and attempted murder. A third man was charged earlier this week.
Greater Manchester Police have charged two more men with murder after the death of Alisha Samuels, 26, on Dorking Avenue in Manchester, a few minutes from Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. She was found dead on Thursday 15 October. The force confirmed the latest charges on 22 October. Both men have been remanded in custody and are due at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on 23 October. Charged people are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The charges
Carl Hardy, 19, of Shaldon Drive, Manchester, and Tony Evans, 19, of Dorking Avenue, are each charged with murder and attempted murder. Lawrence Johnson, 26, of Dorking Avenue, was charged with the same offences earlier this week and remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance. The source gives the date as 20 October. The research notes refer to a hearing on 21 October.
A 48-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting an offender. Police have not said whether she has been charged or released.
What police have said
Officers launched a murder investigation after they were called to reports of a disturbance. Neighbours said they heard “screams” outside their homes at about 2am. The source describes Ms Samuels as having been stabbed, but the research notes say no post-mortem findings or weapon details have been released.
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant, the senior investigating officer, said: “The investigation team has worked tirelessly over the last six days following the tragic death of Alisha Samuels. With the support of our Force Critical Wanted Unit, we have now detained three further individuals believed to be involved in her death.”
He added: “We remain focused on establishing the full circumstances surrounding the events of 15 October and want to reassure Alisha’s loved ones that we are committed to securing justice for her. My thoughts remain with Alisha’s family and friends as they continue to come to terms with this devastating loss.”
He thanked the public, saying the information received had been “invaluable”, and urged anyone with information, “no matter how insignificant it may seem”, to come forward.
Wider investigation
According to the research notes, which cite Greater Manchester Police statements:
- The attempted murder charges relate to a man attacked during the events on Dorking Avenue. Police have not named him or said how badly he was hurt.
- On 15 October, a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police said on 16 October that he was no longer a murder suspect. He was released on bail over other enquiries.
- On 15 October, a 61-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Their current status is unknown.
- On 19 October, a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Merseyside.
- Firearms officers from Specialist Operations and the Force Critical Wanted Unit helped detectives locate three people arrested on 21 October. The force did not report any shots being fired.
- On 16 October, DCI Bryant urged people to stop spreading unverified claims about the killing, warning they could interfere with the inquiry and distress her family.
Police have not said what led to the attack, or whether Ms Samuels knew the three men or the other alleged victim.
Tributes
Aimee Quinn, a close friend, paid tribute, recalling holidays they had taken and plans to travel the world together. She described their friendship as “more like a sisterhood”. “How is this real life? How am I going to live without speaking to you every day with all of my problems?” she wrote. Another friend remembered Ms Samuels as one of the kindest and funniest people she had known.
