Police arrest three more suspects after 26-year-old woman was stabbed to death in street

Police have arrested three more suspects after a 26-year-old woman was stabbed to death in the street.

Alisha Samuels was found with stab wounds on Dorking Avenue, Manchester, at around 2am on October 15, where she was pronounced dead. 

Two 19-year-old men were on Wednesday arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 48-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. 

All three remain in police custody for questioning, the force confirmed on Wednesday. 

It comes after Lawrence Johnson, 26, of Manchester, was on Tuesday charged with the murder of Ms Samuels as well as the attempted murder of another man.

Johnson was remanded in custody and was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. 

The latest three arrests were made amid an investigation by detectives from Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team.

They were supported by firearms officers from Specialist Operations and officers from the Force Critical Wanted Unit.

Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant 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.

'We remain focused on establishing the full circumstances surrounding the events of October 15 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.'

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

Tributes have been paid to Ms Samuels 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 Ms Samuels, described her as having a 'smile that would light up every room'.

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