Man is held on murder charge after the death of Alex, 22
DEVASTATED friends yesterday paid tribute to a ‘beautiful’ young woman who died after suffering fatal injuries at a house over the weekend.
Alex Stuart, 22, was injured during an incident less than a mile away from her family home in Peebles on Sunday morning.
She was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment but died a few hours later.
A 26-year-old man was arrested soon after the incident and has been charged with murder.
Yesterday, the lane just yards from Peebles town centre leading to the house where Miss Stuart was injured remained cordoned off. Neighbours said forensic officers spent much of Sunday and part of yesterday morning at the address after the alarm was raised at around 11am.
Miss Stuart’s parents, Callum and Fiona, were yesterday too distraught to comment on their daughter’s tragic death.
But friends of the young woman, who is believed to have worked for the Royal Mail, last night told off their shock.
In a tribute posted on social media, friend Nicola Blair wrote: ‘Such a beautiful young woman. My thoughts and condolences go out to her family and friends. No one deserves this. Rest in peace sweetheart, sleep tight.’
And Lauren Quinn wrote: ‘Such tragic news, can’t believe some- thing this horrible could happen in our wee town. Gone far too soon, you will be missed by so many. Thoughts are with your close friends and family RIP.’
Another friend, who asked not to be named, said Miss Stuart was a much loved figure in the town.
She explained: ‘Alex was a very popular girl around Peebles and was part of a big social circle.
‘She always seemed like a happy, fun sort of girl with the sort of personality and sense of humour that just made people smile. It’s hard to take in that something so terrible has happened to her.’
Miss Stuart was also a keen netball player, starring for the town’s Hotshots team.
A statement released by Peebles Netball yesterday read: ‘Peebles Netball is deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the death of one of our loyal and dedicated players, Alex Stuart.
‘Her teammates from the Hotshots sent this message: The Hotshots lost one of our own yesterday and our hearts are broken. Alex was one of the bravest, funniest, wildest persons we had the honour of knowing and calling our friend.
‘A life-long friend with many of the girls on the team, she joined the Hotshots last year and threw herself into the game.
‘Wee Al was there for all of us, whether it was putting her body on the line during matches or supporting us from the bench, she was a team member through and through. We will miss her laugh, enthusiasm and her friendship.
‘Our prayers go out to her family and friends who are all going through this loss.’
The alleged incident happened in the Cuddyside area of the Borders town of Peebles, which lies just yards from the town’s main street and less than a mile from Miss Stuart’s family home on the edge of the town. A neighbour said: ‘I saw a lot of police cars arriving and an ambulance. The forensic team were in and out of the place for the rest of the day.
‘It’s usually so quiet around here. It’s shocking to think that a young girl died.’
Officers are urging people who may have information about the incident to come forward.
Detective Inspector Stevie Bertram of Galashiels CID said the force’s thoughts ‘very much remain with Alex’s loved ones’ and continued: ‘We’re not currently looking for anyone else in connection with Alex’s death.
‘However, our enquiries continue and we’d urge anyone who may have information relevant to this investigation to get in touch.’
Nicholas Rogers, 26, was arrested soon after the incident and has been charged with murder.
He made no plea when he appeared in private at Jedburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.
Rogers, who was apprehended in the car park of a nearby Tesco supermarket, also faces a charge of assault and a charge under the Police and Fire Reform Act.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to make a further court appearance next week.
‘Will be missed by so many’ ‘Our prayers go out to her family’