EXCLUSIVE Son, 39, charged with murdering his 'lovely' retired teacher mother, 72, - as distraught neighbours reveal she had just become a grandmother
A son appeared in court today accused of murdering his 72-year-old mother.
Daniel Cook, 39, was charged after retired teacher Ellen Cook was allegedly stabbed to death in the street outside her home.
Police were called to Biddle Road in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire on Sunday evening where Mrs Cook was found injured. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Mrs Cook has lived in the same semi-detached home on the quiet village street with her husband Russ, 76, since the 1980s.
The couple had three children, two daughters and Daniel and had recently become grandparents.
One neighbour said: 'I heard a woman shouting loudly. I thought it was just someone who'd had a few drinks and was getting lively.
'Next thing I knew the whole road was full of emergency vehicles.'
Over a dozen emergency vehicles attended the scene in the village near Leicester.
One neighbour said: 'I did not hear anything until all the police were here, then I heard a man screaming very loudly. It was a terrible sound.'
Neighbours said that Mrs Cook had recently become a grandmother and was helping to look after her granddaughter.
'I would see her taking the little girl down to the swings. She was looking after the girl during the day while her daughter was at work,' said one.
A family member, who did not want to be named, said: 'Ellen was a lovely woman. She was enjoying her retirement. They had three children – two beautiful girls and one boy.'
On Tuesday afternoon police tape was removed from around the family home where three cars sat on the driveway.
Well-wishers left flowers of condolence.
One woman, leaving a bunch of flowers, said: 'I did not know the family but this is just so tragic.'
Daniel Cook, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Wearing a grey sweatshirt, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and age during the two-minute hearing.
No pleas were entered. He was remanded in custody to appear at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday.
Leicestershire police said formal identification of the deceased is due to take place later this week.
It said officers were supporting the victim's family.
Appealing for witnesses on Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said it was an 'isolated incident.
He said: 'I appreciate that the nature of the incident may cause some concern among residents in the area. However, I would like to reassure them that this is an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
'If there is anyone who hasn't yet spoken to police and may have information connected to this incident, I would urge you to please get in contact with us, as what you saw or heard may be of significance to our investigation.
'We would also like to speak to anyone who may have captured video footage of the incident. We have set up a portal for people to upload any relevant footage.'
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