‘BLOOD-CURDLING’ screams could be heard before a Barnsley woman was allegedly murdered near the town centre at the weekend.
Claire Louise Smith died on Saturday as a result of a ‘severe physical attack’, according to a post-mortem.
The Chronicle understands the 42-year-old sustained her injuries inside a house on Britannia Close before stumbling towards Union Street.
She was found collapsed at around 6.30am.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the incident ‘shook the community’.
“It’s been a shocking week and there’s been police going in and out of the house,” they told the Chronicle. “It’s a relatively quiet cul-de-sac, not much happens, but there was all sorts going on in the early hours of Saturday.
“There was a lot of shouting throughout the night but you just presume it’s a usual domestic argument everyone has had at some point, but I remember there being a lot of women’s voices which I thought was odd.
“I must have fallen back to sleep but I heard screams, like those blood-curdling ones in a horror film, at around 6am which woke me up. I had my window open as it was warm, but the noise was clear as day.
“I haven’t been able to get the sound out of my head as I presume they came from the woman who died.
“I saw a woman stumble out, clearly injured, and I believe they found her on Union Street which is the main road off Britannia Close.
“It must have been a terrifying ordeal. Police have told us they are treating it as a murder investigation. I just can’t get my head around it as I heard and saw her.”
Homeless man Jason Goodall, who said he knew Claire, was sleeping at a friend’s house at Albion House, a block of flats adjacent to Britannia Close, when he heard emergency services arrive at around 7am.
He begged for change in the town centre on Monday to buy flowers, which he placed on Union Street as a mark of respect.
“I looked out of the window and saw three or four police cars and an ambulance,” the 40-year-old added. “I didn’t know they were for Claire as I would have rushed out.
“I knew she had been living near where the incident happened but I never even thought for a second the emergency services were for her. I was gutted when the police released her name.
“She was a similar age to me and no-one deserves what she went through. By all accounts it sounds like it was a vicious attack and a terrible way to die.”
South Yorkshire Police confirmed a murder investigation has been launched this week following the death.
A spokesman said: “At around 6.50am on May 19, officers received a report that a woman’s body had been found on Union Street.
“A post-mortem has revealed that the woman died from injuries from a very severe physical attack.
“Formal identification procedures have now taken place and woman has been confirmed to be 42-year-old Claire Louise Smith from the Barnsley town centre area.
“Her family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers. Police have arrested a 45-year-old woman, a 57-year-old woman and a 71-year-old woman on suspicion of murder.”
Detective Superintendent Phil Etheridge, who is leading the investigation, appealed for more witnesses to come forward.
“We are still in the early stages of this investigation which is now being treated as a murder inquiry,” he said. “We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area or has any information that may assist with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101, quoting incident number 200 of May 19, or contact the incident room directly on 01709 443544.
CHARGEDTWO Barnsley women have been charged with murder.
Penelope Brownlie, 45, and Justine Wainwright, 57, also known as Bridget O’Keefe, were arrested on Sunday after 42-year-old Claire Louise Smith’s body was found on Union Street, Barnsley at around 7am on Saturday.
The women, both of Britannia Close, Barnsley, were charged by police on Wednesday night and appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
They were remanded in custody and will next appear at Sheffield Crown Court on June 7.
A 71-year-old woman, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the investigation, has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the victim died as a result of injuries from a very severe, physical attack.
