Midwife murder suspect in the dock
Brother-in-law of her ex accused after body found
THE brother- in- law of the ex-fiance of midwife Samantha Eastwood has appeared in court charged with her murder.
Michael Stirling, 32, spoke only to confirm his age and address during a brief hearing yesterday.
Miss Eastwood, 28, was reported missing after failing to turn up for a night shift. Her body was found eight days later at a disused quarry, eight miles from her home in Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent.
She lived there alone after separating from fiance John Peake, 34.
Stirling, who lives with his wife Katie, 32 – Mr Peake’s sister – gave his parents’ address in Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent, in court.
Flanked by two security guards, he did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Stafford Crown Court tomorrow.
Two men, including Stirling’s father Stephen, 60, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have been bailed pending further inquiries. The arrests come after Miss Eastwood told a hospital colleague she had been threatened in the period leading up to her disappearance.
A source said: ‘Samantha asked one of her colleagues to report it if she didn’t turn up for work. And that is what happened on the Friday night, that is why the police were called so quickly.’
Miss Eastwood was last pictured on CCTV at 7.47am on Friday July 27, leaving Royal Stoke University Hospital after a night shift.
Miss Eastwood and Mr Peake, who manages a steam railway, were together for seven years. Before they separated, the couple saw the Stirlings socially.
A neighbour said Stirling, who runs a fencing business, had built a summerhouse in Miss Eastwood’s garden. He was seen working there just two weeks ago. In a statement, her family thanked supporters for their efforts. An appeal to pay for her funeral has so far raised £3,000.
Miss Eastwood’s ex-partner Mr Peake and her sister Gemma returned to her house to lay a floral tribute yesterday afternoon.
Accompanied by police liaison officers, they left a bouquet of sunflowers on the doorstep and spent time looking at other tributes.
Tributes have also been left at the hospital where she worked. Tearful colleagues could be seen embracing as they lay flowers. The fundraising page was set up by Beth Taylor. She said: ‘Samantha was a lovely young woman who helped to bring so many lives into this world. She had a bright future ahead of her.’
Mothers whose babies she had helped deliver have also donated.