A man has been charged with homicide following the tragic death of a woman during an alleged nighttime axe assault in the coastal town of Dartmouth, Devon.
Emergency responders arrived at a residential property in Dartmouth around 9:20 PM on Tuesday, where they discovered Rebecca Grass, 46, deceased.
Luke Rigby, 38, who resides in Dartmouth, has been formally charged with her murder and is scheduled to appear at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
In an additional incident related to the case, a man in his 40s was hospitalized due to facial injuries. Rigby faces further charges of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He is also facing three other charges: assault by beating, a racially aggravated public order offense, and assault on an emergency service worker.
Currently, Rigby remains in police custody as investigations continue.
Authorities have not disclosed any information about the weapon used or a potential motive behind the attack. However, local residents reported sightings of an individual wielding an axe around the time of the incident.
A nearby business owner mentioned, “Everyone in town is saying the victim was struck with an axe; it’s just disturbing if that’s true.”
Rebecca Grass, 46, was found dead at a property in Dartmouth, Devon, on Tuesday evening.
Miss Grass’s family has been informed and is receiving support from specially trained officers.
Her son, Reece Romeril, shared a heartfelt tribute to his mother, affectionately referred to as Bex, and has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, stating that she deserved a fitting farewell.
Romeril expressed his sorrow, writing, “As many of you have heard, CID arrived at my workplace on Wednesday morning to deliver heartbreaking news. In Dartmouth, there was a murder of a 46-year-old woman on Tuesday evening… my own mother.”
He continued, “The thought that someone could brutally take my mother’s life in such a horrific manner is truly terrifying. Enduring this is something I never imagined experiencing.”
Concluding his tribute, he stated, “Rest in peace, Mum. I love you so much and will miss you endlessly.”
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene on Tuesday night, with two police cars and a white van speeding through the narrow streets of Dartmouth. One local described nearly being struck by the vehicles as they rushed by.
Another resident remarked, “It was chaos last night. The paramedics and police did an excellent job; my thoughts and prayers are with the victims. I’m shocked—such incidents are unheard of in Dartmouth. My thoughts are with anyone affected by this.”
Editor’s Take
This tragic incident underscores the importance of community safety and the impact violent crime can have on small towns. The swift police response and charges laid against Rigby highlight the system’s commitment to addressing such grave acts. The emotional toll on victims’ families further emphasizes the need for ongoing support and awareness in communities.
Source: www.dailymail.com
