A beautiful lady taken far too soon
A PRIMARY school teacher killed in a double murder on a village street in broad daylight was much loved in the community, neighbours said.
Amy Appleton, 32, was found dead on her housing estate alongside pensioner Sandy Seagrave, 76, who had reportedly tried to help Amy as she was attacked outside her home.
One card among tributes left at the scene in Crawley Down, West Sussex, yesterday read: “A beautiful lady. Taken far too soon.
“So many fond memories of
Amy growing up and blossoming into a fine young lady.”
Another read: “To Amy, rest in peace. You were such a lovely neighbour to us and the rest of the village. We wish the best to all of the family.”
A man, believed to have been known to one of the women, was found with injuries in a house near the scene and was questioned on suspicion of murder. He was said to be in a “very unstable condition” in hospital.
It has emerged that Ms Appleton had taught at the nearby Copthorne Church of England Junior School.
Earlier this week, Mrs Seagrave’s heartbroken brother Dan Peckett, 84, from Copthorne, said: “I’m going to miss her so much. I adored her.” His son Michael, 60, said Mrs Seagrave had tried to help a woman being attacked by a man. Michael claimed the attacker then used a knife to slash his own throat. He added: “Her sister Maureen said she’d gone to help the lady who was getting a hiding and he attacked her as well. I’m absolutely gutted. She helped anybody, that woman.”
Sandy Seagrave