A Plymouth University lecturer had been stabbed in the chest and abdomen when she was found in the street, an inquest heard. Claire Chick, previously known as Claire Butler, was discovered with serious injuries on West Hoe Road, West Hoe, Plymouth and, although she was taken to hospital, she later died on January 22. A manhunt was launched to find the suspect, later named by police as 53-year-old Paul Butler who was Ms Chick’s estranged husband. He was eventually arrested on suspicion of murder more than 20 miles away in Liskeard, Cornwall, and held in custody.
The coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, Alison Longhorn, opening the inquest into Ms Chick's death, said she died from 'multiple stab wounds'. The hearing in Exeter was told that Claire was born in Stockton-in-Tees in County Durham in 1976 and was 48 years old when she died after being rushed to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital. The coroner said her cause of death was stab wounds to her chest and abdomen.
Following the tragedy, Claire’s family released a tribute to her last month stating: “We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick. She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone. Everyone who knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her. She was the life and soul of any place where she was. She loved to dance and sing even though she was pretty bad at it she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience.
“We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won't ever get the justice our mum deserves for this because no amount of justice will bring her back. We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her. "We also would like to remind the public she leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as "a favourite grandma". We ask you respect their privacy, and everyone remains respectful to them. She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud.”.
Claire's employer, University of Plymouth, has described the 48-year-old tutor's "humour and warmth". Paying tribute to the lecturer in adult nursing at the institution's School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Plymouth’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Davies said: "We have been shocked and saddened by the death of a much-loved member of our university community.". He continued: "Having spoken with Claire’s colleagues, I know that her contribution to Plymouth was significant and deeply felt – she was a respected nurse, lecturer, and personal tutor, ensuring students were supported academically and pastorally. As Associate Head of School for International in our School of Nursing and Midwifery, she was closely involved in developing nursing programmes, students and academics in Europe, Africa and Asia.
"As a colleague, Claire’s humour and warmth will be dearly missed by academic and support staff. Pastoral support is in place for staff and students who knew Claire and have been affected by this tragic news, and further events are being organised to remember her. In the meantime, our thoughts are with Claire’s family and friends at this impossibly difficult time." The inquest has been adjourned.
