‘Body in suitcase’ family tell of heartache as man is charged

Robert Stewart said his daughter Marie was a “much-loved daughter and sister and a very devoted mother” whose death had left her relatives and friends feeling “numb”.

The body of Miss Stewart, 30, was found by police in the basement garage at her home in Holmfirth on Sunday.

The mother of two, who worked with children with special needs at Holmfirth High School, had been stabbed repeatedly and battered with a blunt object.

Police were called in by relatives who were concerned because they had not seen her since before Christmas.

Last night, detectives charged her 28-year-old partner Andrew Lindo, of Holmfirth, with murder.

He is due to appear beforeHuddersfield magistrates this morning.

Miss Stewart’s sister Katie had stayed at the house for long periods to look after the couple’s children, aged three and one.

Both she and her father laid flowers outside the townhouse property yesterday as police continued their painstaking investigation, removing bags of items for analysis.

“We are still too numb to deal with all the implications of this,” Mr Stewart said.

“We have a one-year-old child and a three-year-old child to look after and we need to think about how we practically and emotionally deal with their needs.

“We have massive challenges ahead to make their lives as normal as possible.”

Mr Stewart added his daughter had spent her “whole working life” helping children at special needs units across Yorkshire.

“She was quite a private person but incredibly thoughtful and considerate,” he said.

“It was typical of Marie that she should choose a career of helping people less fortunate than herself.

“She did that at a senior level, working with people with special needs, both before she had her children and afterwards.

“She was doing one-to-one teaching at Holmfirth High School with a child with severe special needs, which was typical of the work she did during her career.”

The school’s acting head teacher, Gail Howe, said Miss Stewart had worked there full-time since September last year.

She said that the dead woman had been a “friendly and positive presence” in its learning support department.

“She came with a wealth of experience and expertise from her work within the field of special educational needs,” Mrs Howe added.

“Marie’s dedication and commitment to her work helped to make her a great asset to the school.

“From the outset she was calm, professional and extremely competent in her role of supporting the needs of the students in her care.”

Mrs Howe said Miss Stewart was “kind and caring” and would be missed by pupils and staff.

“Our thoughts are very much with Marie’s family at this sad and difficult time,” she added.

“Our priority at the school is to support pupils and staff affected by Marie’s death.”

Police arrested Lindo, a music teacher, at the house on Sunday shortly after he had been at the Old Bridge Hotel in Holmfirth, having lunch with Miss Stewart’s family. A 29-year-old woman, believed to be Lindo’s new partner, was also arrested and later released on police bail.