Gracie Spinks death: Derbyshire Police referred to watchdog

A police force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a woman was found fatally injured in a village field.

Paramedics attended but 23-year-old Gracie Spinks died at the scene in Duckmanton on Friday morning.

Michael Sellers, 35, from Sheffield, was found dead in another field in the same village about two hours later.

Derbyshire Police said they believe Ms Spinks "was killed by a man she knew, who was later found dead".

Ms Spinks, from Chesterfield, was found in a field near to Staveley Road at about 08:40 BST on Friday.

Mr Sellers was found in a field off Tom Lane at about 11:00.

Derbyshire Police said in a statement: "Officers believe that Gracie, who was from the Chesterfield area, was killed by a man she knew, who was later found dead. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the two deaths.

"Specially trained officers are supporting Gracie's family at this time."

The force confirmed it had referred itself to the IOPC because it had "contact with Gracie earlier this year".

It said: "We are not able to release any further information about the case, but we can confirm there was no criminal restraining order in place.

"We can also confirm that a member of the public found a bag containing weapons in Duckmanton in May and handed this in to police."

The force said the death of Mr Sellers was "not thought to be suspicious and inquiries are being made to fully understand the circumstances relating to his death".

"We will be preparing a file for the coroner," it added.

Ms Spinks was a keen horse rider and more than £8,000 has been raised to care for her horse, Paddy.

Friend Abbey Griffin, who set up a GoFundMe page, wrote: "She was a caring and loving individual and was always happy to help.

"If you knew Gracie, you'd also know she was horsey mad and had the most gorgeous horse called Paddy whom she loved dearly."

Chesterfield Radio, where many staff know Ms Spinks's family, has also paid tribute to her.

Station director Paul Wragsdale told the BBC: "Many of us at the station have worked with Gracie's dad, Richard, and can't even begin to understand what emotions he and the whole family are going through right now.

"The outpouring of love and grief speaks volumes for how loved Gracie is amongst the local community and we share the family's heartache at such a difficult time."

Staff at Xbite Ltd, an e-commerce company in Chesterfield where Ms Spinks worked, said they were "deeply shocked and saddened".

"She was a friendly, well liked young woman who will be missed greatly by those that had the pleasure of meeting her," the company said in a statement.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this extremely difficult time."

Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield, said: "The outpouring of love and affection for Gracie speaks to her popularity and the affection and esteem in which she was held.

"It is unbearable that a family has lost a beloved daughter in this way, but that anguish will be coupled with a desire to ensure that the full facts about this case are known and that action is taken to prevent more families suffering this same agony."

The IOPC said in a statement: "We can confirm we have received a referral from Derbyshire Police following the death of a woman in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, on Friday 18 June.

"We will assess the referral and decide on our level of involvement, if any, in due course. Our thoughts remain with the woman's family."

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