Heartbroken friend of mum 'murdered' walking dog had 'sixth sense' she was dead
The heartbroken friend of a mum thought to have been murdered when out walking her dog had a “sixth sense” that her pal had died.
Claire Knights was last seen on August 23, walking her beloved white and brown spaniel, in the village of Upstreet, Kent. The 54-year-old’s car was later found parked up nearby, and her dog was running loose on a beach.
Since then, a man in his 20s, from Margate, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, leaving loved ones fearing the worst. Over the weekend, a body was found but formal identification is yet to take place.
Helen Wilde has known Claire for 20 years and said she had a “sixth sense” something was wrong. She said she knew something was wrong when Claire’s partner text her to ask if she’d seen her.
The final footsteps of Claire Knights before she went missing, feared killed (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12450921/Final-tragic-steps-mother-murdered-Kent-walking-do)The last conversation they’d had, sculptor Claire had been planning for the future, telling Helen how she’d been intending to apply for scholarships. Speaking to The Mail, she added: “I'm absolutely devastated. It's knocked me for six. Last time I saw her she was talking about applying for fellowships and art placements. She was such a talented artist who never went with the grain. That's what I loved about her. She made the most amazing sculptures that were difficult to create.”
Double killer who slit girlfriend's throat within weeks of release jailed
In tribute, Helen said she is hoping to run an exhibition of Claire’s work at her gallery. Kent Police said in a statement: "Officers have attended a location near Minnis Bay, Birchington where a woman was found deceased. Kent Police was alerted by a member of the public shortly after 7pm on Friday 25 August 2023 and patrols are currently at the scene.
"Formal identification has not yet taken place, however, the family of a 54-year-old woman reported missing from Upstreet on Wednesday 23 August are aware. The death is being treated as suspicious and on Thursday 24 August, a man in his 20s from Margate was arrested on suspicion of murder.
"There will be an increased police presence in the area while investigations into the circumstances are underway." Previously, the force's detective chief inspector Kath Way said it was "entirely out of character" for Ms Knights not to contact her family.
Ms Knights' son also made a plea for help on Facebook. He wrote: "My mum Claire went missing on Wednesday 23. She was last seen between 16:00 and 16:30 at Minnis Bay, walking from Birchington towards Reculver, most likely heading to her parked car at St Nicholas at Wade.
"She was walking our Springer Spaniel from St Nicholas at Wade to Minnis Bay as he was found running around on Minnis Bay beach that evening without collar or lead and taken to the police. Claire was last seen at minis bay beach by the beach huts."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Kent Police calling 999, quoting reference number 23-1922.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
