Man is charged after woman, 26, stabbed to death in street

A man has been charged with the murder of a 26-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in a street in Manchester.

Lawrence Johnson, 26, of Manchester, has been charged with the murder of Alisha Samuels and the attempted murder of another man.

Alisha was found with stab wounds on Dorking Avenue at around 2am on October 15.

Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court today. 

Officers were alerted to a disturbance in the area after 'screaming and shouting' was heard by locals.

Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant said: 'We are continuing to work into establishing the full circumstances of Alisha's tragic death and to provide Alisha's family with some answers.

'We have now charged a man, but our investigation is not over.

'I'd like to thank those that have called and supported our investigation thus far, your reports are always taken seriously and prove vital to our work.

'I urge others who may have information, no matter how small, to please come forward.'

Tributes have been paid to Alisha by friends, describing her as a 'beautiful soul' and 'beautiful inside and out'.

Her friend Aimee Quinn said in a post: 'How is this real life? How am I going to live without speaking to you every day with all of my problems?

'I can't believe I'm never going to hear your daft one-liners or belly laugh with you again, no more holidays and all the plans we had to travel the world together.'

Another posted: 'Oh Alisha, from the minute I met you, I knew you were special.

'I loved you from the start. You were one of the kindest, funniest people I've ever met and I'll always be grateful I got to know you.'

Donna, a woman laying flowers at the scene and whose daughter attended school with Alisha, described her as having a 'smile that would light up every room'.

She added Alisha was 'beautiful and clever and she and my daughter were so funny together'.

Witnesses or anyone with information or relevant footage have been urged to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 5464 or via the force's Major Incident Public Portal.

Alternatively, those who wish to anonymously report can do so through the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.