Tributes to Thorpe St Andrew woman believed to be murdered

Police have been given more time to question a man arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman died on a street near Norwich.

Police were called to Catherine Gardens in Thorpe St Andrew at about 23:45 GMT on Saturday, where the woman, in her 40s, was pronounced dead.

She was named locally as Tania Williams. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was due to blood loss from a wound to the neck.

Armed officers arrested the suspect, who is in his 60s, in Dereham Road, Norwich, on Sunday morning, and he remains in police custody.

Detectives applied to Norwich Magistrates’ Court for a warrant of further detention and were given an extra 30 hours to question the man.

Formal identification of the victim has yet to take place.

Det Insp Sam Pontin, of Norfolk Police, said: “We must remember that at the heart of this investigation is a family who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one.

“We understand the public’s desire for information and transparency following such a sad and distressing incident, but we would ask people not to speculate.”

Neighbour Rona Wood, 51, who had known the deceased woman for decades and attended the same high school, said she “was an absolutely lovely person”.

“She would do anything for you,” said the 51-year-old. “She was just a very, very nice lady.”

Wood said her daughter and a neighbour found her on the road after hearing “high-pitched” screams and went outside to investigate.

She said they recognised it was Williams by her distinctive blue hair.

The ambulance were subsequently called and Williams, who police said was in her 40s, was declared dead at the scene.

Wood said the suspected killing left the community “numb” and “very upset”.

“She was heavily into the church and she was heavily into her faith,” she added.

Resident Jordan Brown, who knew Williams from doing the school run and was leaving flowers outside her home, said: “None of us can believe it.

“She was charismatic, colourful. Probably one of the nicest people you’ve ever met in your life.

“It actually makes me feel sick, so, and I can’t even imagine what everybody else is feeling.”

Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form has informed parents it will be offering support to any students affected by the death.

A resident living on Dereham Road, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC on Sunday she saw armed police arrive to arrest a man in the early hours of the morning.

She said a man came out of a house with his hands out and was arrested without “too much struggle”.

Det Supt Stacey Murray said on Sunday: “We are in the early stages of this investigation, working to establish the sequence of events which led to the woman’s death.

“However, we do believe this to be an incident in which both parties are known to each other.”

She has appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.

A tribute to Williams has been posted online by the Parish Church of Thorpe St Andrew, which is on Yarmouth Road.

The St Andrew’s flag flying from the church has been lowered to half mast and a large candle lit inside the church.

A spokesperson said: “Our deep thoughts and prayers are very much with all the family of Tania Williams following her tragic death Saturday night, praying God’s blessing on them.

“The church will be open Monday to Sunday 10:00 until 18:00 this week for people to come to have a quiet moment to remember her and to light a candle if they wish.”