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Hunt on for killer of young mum
From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Mar 2006.
Detectives have stepped-up the hunt for the husband of a young Blackpool mum stabbed to death at home as her toddler daughter slept.
A team of officers from Blackpool travelled down to Essex in their search for Daniel 'Danny' Goldsmith, 29, who has been missing since his estranged wife, Debbie Smith, 28, was found dead at their marital home on Lewtas Street at around 6.30pm last Saturday.
Her body was discovered on a living room sofa after a friend decided to pay her a chance visit. A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Smith, who lived apart from her husband, had been stabbed repeatedly with a knife in what police are describing as a"particularly nasty killing".
The couple's three-year-old daughter was also found sleeping in an upstairs bedroom at the house.
Police are keen to speak to Mr Goldsmith, formerly known as Smith, following claims the separated couple were due to start divorce proceedings and that Mrs Smith had recently begun a new relationship with another man.
The detective leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Graham Gardner, has deployed a team of officers to the Essex area, where Mr Goldsmith is known to have family, after numerous attempts to locate him at various addresses in the resort failed.
Officers are also following up a number of sightings of a man acting suspiciously in the area who was spotted walking towards nearby Dickson Road and possibly getting into a car on Cocker Street at around teatime on Saturday.
Officers believe the man would have attracted attention as he was wearing only a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt despite the bitterly cold weather and snow.
Det Supt Gardner said: "We are still keen to trace Danny Goldsmith and would appeal to anyone who knows him and particularly if they know his current whereabouts to contact 999 immediately.
"Under no circumstances should this individual be approached by the public."
Meanwhile shocked friends have been paying tribute to the young wife and devoted mother.
Claire McAlister, 31, of Lewtas Street, was one of the last people to see Mrs Smith alive on Saturday afternoon.
She said: "Debs and I saw a lot of each other because our daughters are very good friends.
"She was so bubbly and full of life. I can't bear to think of her lying there hurt while so many people that cared about her were just yards away.
"It's horrific."
Fellow neighbour, Florence Wilson, 98, added: "I often saw Deborah chatting to neighbours or watching as her little girl played with others in the street.
"I've lived here for more than 50 years and it's such a quiet, friendly street. There's never been anything like this before."
Dozens of floral tributes have also been placed at Mrs Smith's front door bearing messages such as "Will miss you so much hon, love ya lots mate", Debbie, your beautiful laughter will be missed" and "To the bestest friend anyone could ever have had, I will miss you."
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