Man charged over York murder

A MAN has been charged with the murder of a York woman and the attempted murder of one of her colleagues.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Oct 2013, 18:35 BST
Nicole WaterhouseNicole Waterhouse
Nicole Waterhouse

Nicole Waterhouse, 32, who worked for Hunters Estate Agency, suffered fatal injuries in an attack at a flat in Phoenix Boulevard, close to the National Railway Museum in Leeman Road, on Sunday night.

Her colleague, Karen Browne, 23, was found with serious injuries and was in a stable condition in York Hospital tonight, but remains too ill to be interviewed.

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Police today released pictures of both victims in an attempt to establish their movements prior to the attack, while “meticulous forensic searches” are continuing at the scene.

Crime Scene Investigators arriving at the address on the Phoenix Boulevard estate. Picture: Rows Parry AgencyCrime Scene Investigators arriving at the address on the Phoenix Boulevard estate. Picture: Rows Parry Agency
Crime Scene Investigators arriving at the address on the Phoenix Boulevard estate. Picture: Rows Parry Agency

A 25-year-old man, who was arrested in the early hours of Monday, was tonight charged with murder and attempted murder. He was remanded into police custody and is due before magistrates in the city tomorrow morning.

Estate agent Kevin Hollinrake, a director at Hunters, last night spoke of his sadness at the death of Ms Waterhouse, a sales negotiator who had worked at the firm for 13 years and was the daughter of its founding director John Waterhouse.

He said: “Everyone is just devastated. We are a very close business and our thoughts are with John and his family at this time.

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“Our thoughts are with Karen’s family as well and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. We think she is on the mend, certainly physically.

“Nicole was a lovely, kind-hearted person who always had a smile on her face. She will be deeply missed. She was one in a million, she was a lovely girl.”

North Yorkshire Police officers used a specialist search dog to carry out searches yesterday in the Bootham area and Museum Gardens in York.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, of the force’s Major Crime Unit, said it was “essential” for anyone who knew of the two women’s movements on Sunday to come forward, along with anyone who may have seen or found bloodstained clothing.

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He added: “We are also still searching for mobile phones belonging to the victims and suspect. These are a white Samsung Galaxy phone in a pink slip cover and a white iPhone.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55511, quoting reference number 12130182574.