Key Points
- The Greater Manchester Police have detained a 26-year-old man under suspicion of murdering Alisha Samuels, 26, in Newton Heath, Manchester.
- This arrest happened in the Merseyside region, where Liverpool Echo reported that police activity related to the incident has been observed in Bootle.
- The man is currently in police custody for questioning.
- Ms Samuels was discovered with severe injuries after the police received a call from Dorking Avenue around 2am on Thursday, October 15, and she died at the scene.
- A 25-year-old man who was previously detained on suspicion of murder has been bailed by police and is no longer considered a suspect.
- Two other people, a 61-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, who were arrested for assisting an offender have also been bailed.
- Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant revealed that the investigation is “not over” and the police is trying to uncover the whole story behind the attack.
- The Greater Manchester Police is urging everyone who has information about the crime to call 0161 856 5464 or via the Major Incident Public Portal.
Manchester (Manchester Mirror) – Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Monday, October 19, that a second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 26-year-old Alisha Samuels. The force said the man was detained in the Merseyside area and remains in custody for questioning.
As reported by the BBC, officers from GMP’s specialist operations teams made the arrest as the murder investigation into Ms Samuels’ death continued. The force had previously said that a 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder had been released on police bail and was no longer being treated as a suspect.
What happened on Dorking Avenue?
GMP said officers were called to reports of a disturbance on Dorking Avenue in Newton Heath at around 2am on Thursday, October 15. When officers attended, they found Ms Samuels with serious injuries, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
As reported by the Bury Times, police said Ms Samuels had sustained serious injuries consistent with a stabbing. The report did not identify any further details about the circumstances leading up to the disturbance.
The Manchester Evening News reported that a significant police presence remained in the area in the days after the incident, while detectives carried out enquiries connected to the murder investigation.
Who has been arrested?
The latest development concerns a 26-year-old man, whom GMP said was arrested in the Merseyside area on suspicion of murder. The force confirmed that he remains in custody for questioning.
This follows an earlier arrest on Thursday, October 15, when a 25-year-old man was detained on suspicion of murder. GMP later said that he had been released on police bail pending further enquiries into other matters and was no longer being treated as a suspect.
Two further people were also arrested on Thursday on suspicion of assisting an offender: a 61-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. As reported by ITV Granada Reports, both were arrested in connection with the investigation, while later reporting by the Manchester Evening News said they had since been released on bail.
What police have said
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant said officers were continuing to seek information about Ms Samuels’ death. As reported by the BBC, he said:
“We are actively seeking information regarding the tragic death of Alisha, and several of our teams are focused on identifying those we believe were involved.”
He added:
“While we have another suspect in custody, our inquiry is far from complete. We are diligently working to uncover the full details surrounding this assault and to offer Alisha’s family some clarity. My thoughts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”
GMP’s own update said specialist operations officers had made “another arrest on suspicion of murder” as the investigation into Ms Samuels’ death continued.
Where was the latest arrest made?
GMP said the 26-year-old man was arrested in the Merseyside area. The Liverpool Echo reported that police were seen on a street in Bootle on Sunday night in connection with the investigation, although the force’s public statement identified the arrest location only as Merseyside.
The Liverpool Echo also reported that the man arrested in Merseyside remained in custody for further questioning. The report did not name him, consistent with GMP’s update.
What information are police seeking?
Detectives have asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward. GMP has provided the number 0161 856 5464 for people who may be able to assist, while information can also be submitted through the Major Incident Public Portal.
As reported by the Oldham Times, the public portal address listed by police is mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP26S62-PO1. The force has also previously appealed for witnesses with mobile phone, CCTV or doorbell footage to contact investigators.
What is known about Alisha Samuels?
Alisha Samuels was 26 years old and was named by GMP after her death in Newton Heath. Officers said she was found with serious injuries following reports of a disturbance and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tributes have since been paid to Ms Samuels. As reported by ITV Granada Reports, the 26-year-old was found with serious injuries in the early hours of October 15, and police later confirmed that the man initially arrested on suspicion of murder was no longer being treated as a suspect.
Background of the development
The investigation began in the early hours of Thursday, October 15, after GMP responded to a report of a disturbance on Dorking Avenue in Newton Heath. Ms Samuels was found with serious injuries and pronounced dead at the scene, prompting the launch of a murder investigation.
On the same day, GMP confirmed three arrests: a 25-year-old man on suspicion of murder, and a 61-year-old man and 38-year-old woman on suspicion of assisting an offender.
By Friday, October 16, the force said the 25-year-old man had been released on police bail and was no longer being treated as a suspect, while the investigation remained active. The latest arrest of a 26-year-old man in Merseyside, announced on Monday, October 19, represents a further development in the ongoing inquiry.
Prediction: how this may affect the local community
For Newton Heath residents, the continuing police presence and active murder inquiry may lead to renewed concern about safety in the area, particularly among people living near Dorking Avenue. Residents may also expect further police appeals for CCTV, doorbell and mobile-phone footage as detectives seek to identify others believed to have been involved.
For the wider Manchester community, the case is likely to keep attention on how quickly investigators can establish the full circumstances of the attack. The latest arrest may provide reassurance that the inquiry is progressing, but GMP has made clear that it is not complete and that officers are still seeking information from the public.
