Tributes to doctor who died with daughter in suspected arson case

A DOCTOR at the centre of a double murder probe “went out of her way” to help patients during the Covid- 19 lockdown and was “a joy to work with”.

Dr Saman Mir Sacharvi, 49, and her daughter, Vian Mangrio, 14, were found dead inside their fire and smoke- damaged house in Burnley, Lancashire, by police at about 8.45am on Thursday.

Two men, aged 51 and 56, from Burnley have been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two counts of rape and one of arson with intent to endanger life.

A post- mortem examination on Dr Sacharvi showed she died from pressure to her neck and that she was also assaulted.

Tests have shown Miss Mangrio, a pupil at Marsden Heights School in Nelson, was badly burnt, but officials have not yet determined the cause of her death.

Dr Sacharvi was a junior doctor with Lancashire and South

Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust’s specialist perinatal community mental health team since February.

She most recently worked at the trust’s Daisyfield site in Blackburn. Paying tribute to her, perinatal lead consultant Gill Strachan said: “Dr Sacharvi fitted in well with the team.

“She was approachable, diligent and had formed good working relationships with the team.

“She was empathic and wellliked by the women and families that she worked with.

“Her colleagues described her as very kind, brilliant and a joy to work with.

“During lockdown when Covid

19 restrictions were in place, she went out of her way to support the care of women, personally delivering prescriptions to women isolating at home.”

Police are continuing to appeal for information following Sunday’s arrests.

Detective Superintendent Jon Holmes said: “This is a live investigation and we continue to ask anyone with any information to get in touch with us.

“Maybe you have CCTV or dashcam footage which could contain something useful.”

He added: “We have a team of detectives dedicated to the investigation and we will leave no stone unturned.”