A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a mother-of-three was stabbed to death beside the ruins of an old Victorian mental hospital.
Gemma Cowey, 38, was attacked on wasteland next to the derelict remains of St Andrew’s Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk on Friday.
Ms Cowey from Norwich, Norfolk, was walking with a man before she was murdered and police were called at around 12.45pm.
Paramedics battled to save her life after emergency services, including an air ambulance attended, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gemma Cowey, 38, was stabbed to death beside the ruins of St Andrew’s Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk on Friday
The mother-of-three who was also known as Gemma Marjoram, was described as ‘a beautiful girl’ and ‘devoted’ mother by her heartbroken family
Ms Cowey, who was also known as Gemma Marjoram, was described as ‘a beautiful girl’ and ‘devoted’ mother by her heartbroken family.
Her family said in a statement: ‘Our beautiful girl, Gemma Lynne Marjoram, was cruelly taken from our lives on Friday 19th June.
‘Gemma, a devoted Mummy to three children, Kacie, Callum and Abigail. Loving big sister to Joanne and Kimberley. We are beyond heartbroken. We have no more words.’
A man aged in his 40s and from Norwich was arrested more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area on suspicion of murder just over three hours later at around 4pm on Friday.
The victim is thought to have been attacked on wasteland next to the derelict remains of St Andrew’s Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk
An officer sets up a cordon, pictured left and right, following the attack at around 12.45pm on Friday
Police cordoned off a separate area around 200 yards away around a black bicycle abandoned at the side of a road leading to the old hospital site
He was brought back to Norfolk for questioning on Saturday afternoon and is still being quizzed by detectives at the Wymondham Police Investigation Centre.
Police cordoned off a separate area around 200 yards away around a black bicycle abandoned at the side of a road leading to the old hospital site.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Gray, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Unit, said: ‘A number of police resources, including armed units and a helicopter, were deployed to the scene to help in the search for the suspect.’
Detective Inspector Lewis Craske, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: ‘Our thoughts are with Gemma’s family and friends at this time.
‘Officers have established that Gemma and the suspect were known to each other and whilst we do believe this is an isolated incident, our investigations are ongoing to identify the exact circumstances leading up to her death.
‘I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the old hospital in Thorpe St Andrew between 11am and 1pm on Friday 19 June, particularly anyone who may have seen a male and female walking near to the site.
‘We know this incident will have caused concern among local residents. Officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area over the coming days and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to them.’
The derelict hospital site is next door to the current Northside House mental health clinic run by the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust.
But sources suggested that the killing of the woman was not linked to the clinic.
The St Andrew’s Hospital which was originally known as the Norfolk County Asylum dates back to the early 19th century.
Police, pictured at the scene, arrested a suspect more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area at around 4pm
The site was closed as an NHS hospital in April 1998 and some of the original grade II listed buildings from 1814 on the south of the site were later converted into private housing.
The main building St Andrews House was used as offices by the Norfolk Primary Care Trust until 2007, but later put up for sale in January 2011
Plans have been mooted to turn the site into a business park, but it has been left to slowly decay in recent years.
The area is close to the St Andrew’s Business Park and next to the print works of the Archant local newspaper group.
It is a popular spot for joggers and dog walkers.
The main derelict redbrick building has also been targeted in recent years by urban explorers looking around inside.
Anyone with information should contact the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team on 101.