Former fiance’s relative charged with the murder of midwife Sam
A MAN appeared in court yesterday, charged with the murder of midwife Samantha Eastwood
Michael Stirling, 32, of Stoke-onTrent, was remanded in custody by magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
The body of Ms Eastwood, 28, was discovered in a quarry near Caverswall, Stoke, on Saturday, eight days after she was reported missing.
Stirling, 32, is the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood’s former fiance, John Peake.
He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during yesterday’s three-and-ahalf-minute hearing.
Defending solicitor Samina Rashid said she would be making no application for bail and the court clerk stressed it was a matter fit only for a crown court.
Stirling was ordered to appear at Stafford Crown Court tomorrow via video link from custody.
Lovely
Two other men held on suspicion of assisting an offender – one unnamed, aged 28, and the other, Michael Stirling’s father Stephen, 60 – were both released on bail.
Afterwards in a statement released by Staffordshire Police, Ms Eastwood’s family thanked supporters for their efforts.
They said: “The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.
“We would like to say ‘thank you’ to all the people who followed Samantha’s story and tried their best to help.”
Yesterday it was reported that, in the weeks before she vanished, Ms Eastwood told a colleague she had been threatened, even asking the friend to call the police if she ever failed to turn up for work.
The NHS midwife was last seen on July 27, as she left Royal Stoke University Hospital. She was seen smiling after a night shift. CCTV footage showed towards her home XC60 SUV.
The quarry where her body was found is seven miles from the midwife’s home.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Sunday but Staffordshire Police said further tests were required.
Ms Eastwood’s sister and former fiance visited her house in Stoke-on-Trent to lay flowers yesterday afternoon.
Gemma Eastwood and Mr Peake were accompanied by police liaison officers in unmarked cars.
Mr Peake arrived carrying a bouquet of of pink and red flowers. Ms Eastwood left a framed picture of her driving in her Volvo Samantha Eastwood, whose body was found in a quarry Samantha. They spent about 10 minutes looking at other tributes. As the day went on, the pile of flowers left by friends and family grew.
A fundraising page has been set up to help Ms Eastwood’s family with funeral costs and has so far raised more than £3,700.
Leaving a tribute, friend Rachel Duncker said: “Having volunteered with Samantha, it was clear what a caring, lovely person she was. My thoughts are with her family at this awful time.”
Colleague Gemma Fox added: “Sam was such an amazing midwife and I’m so grateful to have had the privilege of working with her during my training.”