A woman fatally injured in Plymouth earlier this week is a university lecturer who shell-shocked neighbors described as a 'beautiful' person, MailOnline can reveal.
Claire Butler, 48, a lecturer in adult nursing at Plymouth University, is alleged to have killed Hoe on the street in the West on Wednesday evening following a major police search.
On Thursday, Paul Butler, 53, was named as the only suspect with police confirming he has now been arrested.
Claire's home in the West Hoe area was where dozens of police officers responded to her after a reported stab wound shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday. Claire later died in hospital.
Neighbors in the central town where Claire owned a home described their shock at her death on Thursday.
A resident who knew her told MailOnline: 'It's a huge shock, we only spoke to her a few days ago.
'She was lovely, she moved a few years ago and was working at university, she had a PhD and lectures in nursing.
'The police raided the house last night around 10pm – they just told us to stay indoors.
Claire Butler, 48, is alleged to have killed hoe on the street in the West on Wednesday night, sparking a major police search
Claire's (pictured) home in the West Hoe area was where dozens of police units responded to her after a reported stab wound shortly before 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening
Paul Butler (pictured), 53, was named as the only suspect with police confirming he has now been arrested
'She had been away recently and when she came back she decided she didn't want to live here while she was on the road, so she got an apartment in West Hoe.
“She had just moved her stuff last week. She has a son and a daughter. '
At a press conference on Thursday, local police chief Tom Cunningham declined to say whether Butler was known to police.
Di Rob Smith said before Butler's arrest on Thursday: 'Cordons are in place and police units remain in the area.
“At this time the suspect remains at large and a major response is underway.
“We have taken steps to release an image of a man we need to identify in connection with the murder investigation.”
The force said the attack is being treated as an “isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the wider public.”
Forensic officers worked through the night, with evidence markers and blood seen splattered on the pavement, and remained on scene Thursday morning.
Claire (pictured), who died on Thursday, was a lecturer in adult nursing at Plymouth University
Butler is pictured wearing a chic dress suit in a photo taken from social media
Butler was named the sole suspect in Clare's death on Thursday
Police set up a police cordon between Great Western Road and West Hoe Road after a woman was found 'seriously injured' in the street
One eyewitness said: 'The scene doesn't look very good.
'I arrived at a quarter past nine.
“When I arrived on the scene the incident was in its early stages and armed police had been deployed.
'15 minutes later a police officer response team had arrived.'
Another witness said: 'I saw someone receiving CPR.
“It feels like every police officer in Plymouth is here tonight.”
A large cordon remains in place around the area with Devon and Cornwall Police saying streets would remain closed for the rest of the day.
DCI David Pebworth said: 'Cordons are likely to remain in place for the remainder of the day and police units remain in the area.
A massive police presence was seen at the scene of the attack in Plymouth on Thursday
Armed police swarmed areas of Plymouth on Wednesday after reports of a 'serious attack' in the city
Forensic officers used torches to search the street as they worked late into the night
“I would like to make the public aware that we want to find a man in relation to this incident whose identity is known and inquiries are ongoing to find him.
'At this time I would like to reassure the community and move forward in Plymouth that there is no suggestion that there is a wider risk to members of the public.
“There will be an increased police presence and visibility in the area over the coming days as inquiries are ongoing.
“We will of course update the public when we have more information.”
