Tributes paid to beautician and mum Melissa Belshaw murdered in Wigan

A friend, who asked not to be named, told how Melissa, 32, was looking forward to a bright future and was about to open her own business when she was killed.

He said: "Melissa had had a chequered life, I don't think she made any pretence of that. But she never hurt anyone and she was turning her life around spectacularly.

"She had received help from friends to set up her own beauty salon called The Lash Room on Hallgate.

"Her website only went live yesterday (Wednesday) and the signage was only put up last Friday. It is so very sad. She had put her heart and soul into this enterprise and was so looking forward to making a success of it.

"Now it has all been cruelly snatched away. Whatever she did in the past she didn't deserve this and neither did her 13-year-old daughter. I feel so terribly for her.

"Things had been so much looking up for Melissa. She was driving around in a Range Rover, and she was posting on Instagram about how much she was looking forward to opening the salon and going to Dubai.

"It's heartbreaking."

Tributes have also been posted on social media, including messages from those who knew mum-of-one Melissa personally.

Wiganers also said their thoughts were with her daughter.

Andrea Bennett wrote on Wigan Today's social media page that she had taught Melissa hairdressing and described her as "an outgoing young lady with a big personality".

Tracey Unsworth said on Facebook: "I knew Melissa well it’s very sad she was just about to start a new beauty business."

Rachel Lancashire wrote: "Absolutely tragic, sending love and prayers to all those who knew and loved this beautiful lady."

Other comments posted on Wigan Today's Facebook page simply expressed shock and horror at the incident.

Liz Ingram wrote: "What is this world coming to we are living in. So, so wrong."

Many other messages described Melissa's death as "heartbreaking".

Police were called to Upholland Road shortly after 4.10pm on Wednesday May 20.

They found Melissa had been stabbed in a property and had suffered what the force described as "catastrophic" injuries.

A neighbour told Wigan Today that screams had been heard coming from the address.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference number 1981 of 20/05/20, or ring independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.