The heartbroken family of a woman who sadly died in Gorton this past weekend have paid tribute to her as a murder investigation is launched.
It comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received reports regarding the concerns for the welfare of a woman at an address on Hyde Road at around 11:20am on Saturday (30 September), and officers subsequently rushed to the scene, along with other emergency services.
But despite the best efforts of all involved, a 43-year-old woman lost her life at the scene.
A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody for questioning, GMP has confirmed – with the force believing this to be an “isolated incident”.
As a murder investigation has now been launched, and police begin the process of piecing details of the incident together to figure out what happened, the woman who sadly lost her life has now been named as Charlene Mills, and her devastated family have paid an emotional tribute to her.
The mother of one has been described as “beautiful inside and out”.
The tribute reads: “We are so deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Charlene.
“She was beautiful inside and out and had a personality that would bring a smile to the faces of all that knew her, no matter what the situation.
“Charlene, or Char as we all knew her, was the most perfect daughter and big sister to Amber. She loved being a mum and idolised her son Rydell and dog, Boxer. She was strong-willed, kind, and cheeky, overcoming so many obstacles in her life. The world just won’t be as fun without her, and our treasured memories of Char are the only little pieces of comfort we have.”
The family admit they are “still coming to terms with this devastating news”, and while they are “extremely grateful” for all the messages of support they have received and to those who paid their respects by laying flowers, they have now asked for “privacy and time to grieve”.
A murder investigation has been launched after a woman sadly died in Gorton / Credit: GMP
As the murder investigation has now been launched and enters the early stages, Detective Superintendent Helen Critchley, from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, has confirmed that specialist officers have been put in place to ensure Charlene’s family and loved ones are being updated and properly supported.
“We are currently piecing together the exact details of the incident and a scene remains in place as officers carry out their work,” DS Critchley added.
DS Critchley also said that she understands incidents of this nature can “cause distress in the community”, but GMP is keen to reassure local residents that it believes that this was an isolated incident at this stage.
“We are asking anyone who may have heard or seen anything from around the time of the incident to please get in touch,” DS Critchley continued, “no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is, any information could be of great benefit to the investigation.”
You can share information by calling 101 or 0161 856 0110, quoting log number 1421 of 30/09/23, or by reporting it online at gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed details from the minutes of his meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the August bank holiday, sharing key updates from the crucial sit-down in hopes of securing the future of Salford Red Devils.
The Mayor and his Salford counterpart, Paul Dennett, met with chief executive Tony Sutton and other key RFL figures to discuss the ongoing crisis at Salford Red Devils, who remain on the brink of collapse.
Supporters marched on the streets of 0161’s second city in the immediate aftermath, expressing their dismay at the continuing struggles both behind the scenes and off the pitch, and Burnham was quick to call a meeting with the RFL as a result. The fans have remained in full voice throughout.
Posting a joint statement on social media, the pair wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the RFL and clubs across the Super League for their ongoing commitment to assist Salford Red Devils in fulfilling all other fixtures and get the club to the end of the season.
“Following that meeting, we have requested a meeting this Friday with the Jacobsen Management Group, the current owners, to discuss our serious concerns over the future of the club.
“The impending HMRC court hearing, the failure to meet tax obligations, the delay in payment of wages, and the lack of financial investment have resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the ownership among fans and the wider Salford and rugby community.”
Stating that “Salford Red Devils [still] face an uncertain future”, leading fan group The 1873 confessed that while it has been seen as a “welcome step”, it nevertheless “felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.”
In short, they said: “We will no longer sit back while the club we love is reduced to a shell by those who do not speak to us, do not listen, and do not understand what Salford means.” They also called out the somewhat one foot in, one foot out ownership group and so-called current ‘stewards’ of the club directly.
You can read their response in full down below.
Yesterday’s statement from Andy Burnham & Paul Dennett is a welcome step, but not the one Salford fans wanted.
It felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.
The future of the club and community deserves more.
Furthermore, Burnham and Dennett went on to add: “Following discussions between the parties involved, there is clear agreement that Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Salford City Council and the Rugby Football League are resolute in their commitment to safeguard the club.
“We are committed to working together to secure the long-term future of the club, to implement a city-wide rugby strategy, and to honour the generations of players, supporters, and communities who have carried its spirit through more than 150 years of rugby league.”
What about you, Salford Red Devils fans – what did you make of both statements, and how hopeful are you that the storm will clear around the club?
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost
Emily Sergeant
Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.
Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.
Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.
£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM
Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.
Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.
Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.
Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM
“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd October 2023 
