Murder charge after student’s stab death
A MAN has been charged with murder after his girlfriend was stabbed to death at their home.
Lloyd Brackenbury is accused of killing student Natasha Wild, 23, in Syke, Rochdale, in November.
She was discovered with knife wounds to her neck at a bungalow on Middle Hill and taken to hospital, but later died.
Mr Brackenbury, 31, of Middle Hill, is due to appear at Manchester Crown Square on July 10 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
Natasha’s death was the second horrific tragedy to hit her family in just over a decade.
In June 2005, her brother Alan Wild, aged nine, Layla Wild, 23 – believed to be her step-sister – and Layla’s 11-month-old daughter, Courtney Nabb, perished in a house fire on Albion Street in Rochdale, alongside family friend Cole Ridgway, two.
The blaze is said to have been caused by an electrical fault involving the tumble dryer.
Layla was taken to hospital with 75 per cent burns but never regained consciousness and her life support machine was switched off. She never knew the fire had claimed the life of baby Courtney. Following Natasha’s death her mother led the tributes, saying: “Natasha was kindhearted and clever and was working towards her final year in university.
“This is a tragic waste of life of a lovely and beautiful daughter.”
Natasha’s sister added: “My sister had a heart of gold.”
Natasha, who was studying at Liverpool Hope University, was a former pupil of Matthew Moss High School in Rochdale, and had been working there as a dinner lady at the time of her death.
Headteacher Mark Moorhouse said: “It is with much sadness that we receive the terrible news about our friend and colleague, Natasha.
“A fantastic and much-loved member of our school community, both as a pupil and then as a member of the staff team, Natasha will be much missed.”
Natasha was described by friends as a ‘beautiful’ and ‘lovely’ girl whose life was taken too soon.