Mum found dead was 'beautiful inside and out'

The family of a "kind, gentle and much-loved" mother-of-two who was found dead in a house have described her as being "truly beautiful inside and out" and "so much more than a victim".

Isobella Knight, 35, was discovered by police in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, on Friday.

Officers went to the property on Donnington Road following initial inquiries into reports of a car crashing at a McDonald's restaurant.

Paul Knight, 35, of Donnington Road, has been charged with her murder and he has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at Northampton Crown Court on 2 September.

Police said they received a report of a crash involving a man in a blue Skoda at McDonald's in Folley Way, Burton Latimer, at about 15:30 BST on Friday.

Officers then discovered Ms Knight's body at the house.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Knight, known as Izzy, had died as a result of pressure being applied to her neck.

In a tribute issued via the police force, Izzy's mother Helena wrote: "If anyone was born to be a mum, it was Izzy.

"She would go without to give her two girls the best possible life and she took them to so many clubs and classes including gymnastics, swimming, drama and dance.

"Izzy was an exceptionally talented artist. She studied Fine Art at the University of Hertfordshire and also had her own portraits business which she used to manage alongside a full-time career as a buyer for MM Flowers in Alconbury [in Cambridgeshire] - a job she also really loved. Her portraits were so good, it was like looking at a photograph, not a drawing.

"In her spare time, Izzy enjoyed kayaking, running and being active. One year she ran the Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research UK after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so proud of her."

Helena added: "There are no words which can adequately describe the pain and anguish I feel.

"How do I go on without my daughter? How do I cope knowing her name is never going to come up on my phone again? How do I have a conversation with those two young girls when they are older and they want to know what happened to their mum? The thought of them growing up without her just breaks my heart.

"I want everyone to know that Izzy was so much more than a victim. She was a loving mother, a treasured daughter, a best friend in sister form, a talented artist, and a great friend. She laughed, she cried, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children, she had dreams, and she loved hard.

"She was such a lovely woman and I already miss her so much. She will never ever be forgotten and we will make sure her girls grow up knowing what an incredible person she was."

Izzy's dad Tim said his daughter was "a kind, nurturing and beautiful person".

"She was loved by everyone around her and was a totally devoted mum to her two children," he wrote.

"Being Izzy's dad has been the greatest joy, a pleasure and a privilege. She has been taken so tragically and now we must all somehow learn to live on without her."

Izzy's "Nanny" Valerie, added: "She was a talented artist and her pictures will forever hang on my walls.

"My heart is now breaking because of this cruel act. I will always love you Isobella."

Rebecca Brown, one of Izzy's neighbours, said news of her murder had "touched the whole community".

She said: "Whenever I saw her she had a lovely warm smile and would always say 'hi'.

"She was an amazing mum and we often heard her and the little girls playing and singing in the garden.

"It's very quiet in this part of the neighbourhood now without them here - we're all very shocked."

Mr Knight appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Monday, where he was committed to the crown court for the hearing on Wednesday.

No plea has been entered yet.

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