Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman, 26, was stabbed to death in the street - following release of man no longer treated as a suspect

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 26-year-old woman was stabbed in the street - after police cleared an earlier suspect of being involved.

Alisha Samuels was found with stab wounds on Dorking Avenue in Manchester at about 2am last Thursday and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

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

Witnesses also reported seeing a vehicle collide with a police van on nearby Briscoe Lane as a man was subsequently removed from the car, Manchester Evening News stated. 

Forensic investigators were later pictured examining a damaged car as police cordoned off multiple streets in the area. 

A 25-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of murder but has been released on bail by Greater Manchester Police pending further enquiries, with officers saying he was 'no longer being treated as a suspect for murder'.

Now the force has arrested a 26-year-old man in Merseyside and he is being held on suspicion of murder. 

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant said: 'We are still seeking information for Alisha’s heartbreaking death, and a number of our teams are dedicated to locate those we believe were involved.

'We have another man in custody, but our investigation is not over.

'We are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of this attack, and to provide Alisha’s family with some answers.'

Tributes have been paid to Alisha by friends including a description of 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.