The mother of a 23-year-old woman who was stabbed to death has said her family’s heart “has been ripped out” by the killing.

At Gracie Spinks’ inquest, relatives and friends paid tribute to her, saying she was “the life of the party”, a “role model” and “free spirit”.

Ms Spinks is believed to have been killed on 18 June 2021 by 35-year-old Michael Sellers, who she had reported to police due to stalking fears.

She was attacked as she tended to her horse at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, with Sellers’ body found later that day around 150m away with self-inflicted injuries.

The pair met at work in 2020 and Ms Spinks had reported “creepy” Sellers to Derbyshire Police due to stalking concerns months before she died, but he was judged to pose a low risk, the inquest was told.

Several members of the jury and family members wept as Ms Spinks’ relatives paid tribute to her at Chesterfield’s Coroner’s Court.

Her mother, Alison Ward, said: “Gracie was the life and soul and energy of our house. She would always be singing, playing music and having fun with us all.

“Now we have silence in our house and the heart of our family has been ripped out.

“The death of our beautiful daughter left the whole family and myself devastated. Nothing will ever be the same.”

Ms Ward said her daughter’s room has been untouched since her death, with dirty clothes on the floor and an empty crisp packet on the bedside cabinet.

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‘I miss her every day’

Ms Spinks’ father, Richard Spinks, said she was an “amazing and unique person”, telling the court: “Everybody she met, she took to straight away, and they to her.

“She was so friendly and open and smiley and happy. I am so devastated that she could not fulfil her hopes and dreams and all the things she wanted to do.

“She was the light of my life and so precious to me. Her loss has changed me completely and I miss her every day.”

‘She was the life of the party’

Her brother, Thomas Spinks, said: “Gracie lit up the room. She was the life of the party and had an absolutely massive, golden heart.”

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Her sister, Abi Heaton, said: “I will always see her laughing, pulling funny faces and singing.

“She would do anything for those she loved. She was the life of my family, our best friend and deserved so much more.

“I don’t know what to do without her. I am lost.”

The inquest continues.

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