Family's heart-breaking tribute to 23-year-old model killed in horrific ...

Family's heart-breaking tribute to 23-year-old model killed in horrific ...
Family's heart-breaking tribute to 23-year-old model killed in horrific ...

The heartbroken parents of 23-year-old model Gracie Spinks last night paid tribute to their 'beautiful' daughter, who is believed to have been killed by her stalker who allegedly became obsessed with the horse enthusiast after just one date and could not cope when she rejected him. 

Miss Spinks' parents Alison Heaton and Richard Spinks both added a frame to their Facebook profile pictures after midnight which read: '#Stop Violence Against Women #Justice For Women'. 

Her mother Mrs Heaton swapped the image for a photo of Miss Spinks and wrote: 'My beautiful daughter Gracie, taken away from me, her dad and brother and sister, and everyone who loved and cared for her'.

Miss Spinks, who studied art and design at Chesterfield College and lived in Old Whittington, worked as a packer at e-commerce firm Xbite with suspected killer Michael Sellars, and occasionally modelled for a London agency.

Her body was discovered in a paddock in the picturesque village of Duckmanton, Derbyshire on Friday morning. Derbyshire Police said a man was later found dead half a mile away and they are not looking for any other suspects - indicating a possible murder-suicide. 

Colleagues described Sellars, 35, as a 'loner' and a 'weirdo' who became 'so obsessed with her' that he 'wouldn't leave her alone' and allegedly turned up at the stables where she went riding. One source claimed Miss Spinks even obtained a restraining order against him. 

Sellars is said to have lived with his parents and was not known to have ever had a girlfriend. He is also said to have been sacked by Xbite just six months earlier amid concerns over his conduct - reportedly towards other staff. MailOnline has approached Xbite for further information.

One employee claimed Miss Spinks' suspected killer 'just flipped' and killed her', adding: 'The man used to work here. I knew him - many of us did. We knew Gracie and it is very upsetting. It's going around that she had a stalker who was totally obsessed with her. It's the man who worked here who just flipped and killed her. 

'He was a weirdo and wouldn't leave Gracie alone.' 

It also emerged that a 'murder bag' containing knives an axe which was allegedly used during the attack was found stashed in a lane around 100 years from the scene of the killing.  

Anna White, who found the bag, wrote on Facebook she had handed it to police only to be told it would not be forensically examined. Derbyshire Police declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.

Mrs White posted a picture of the contents of the rucksack she found in early May - including an axe, hammer, two large knives, a flick-knife, Viagra and a sinister note which read: 'Don't lie!' 

She wrote: 'I found a backpack six weeks ago... the contents of which were extremely disturbing. I contacted the police and handed the bag to them. They basically said they wouldn't be investigating further despite the obvious fact that DNA would have been recoverable. 

'If this is in any way linked to this incident then the police have some major questions to answer.' MailOnline has approached Mrs White for further information.

Derbyshire Police said it is referring itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, but it has not explained why. An IOPC spokesman said they were expecting an email referral, adding: 'When we receive it, we will carry out an assessment to determine what further action is needed by us.'  

The heartbroken parents of 23-year-old model Gracie Spinks last night paid tribute to their 'beautiful' daughter, who is believed to have been killed by her stalker who allegedly became obsessed with the horse enthusiast after just one date and could not cope when she rejected him

The heartbroken parents of 23-year-old model Gracie Spinks last night paid tribute to their 'beautiful' daughter, who is believed to have been killed by her stalker who allegedly became obsessed with the horse enthusiast after just one date and could not cope when she rejected him

Miss Spinks, who studied art and design at Chesterfield College and lived in Old Whittington, worked as a packer at e-commerce firm Xbite with suspected killer Michael Sellars, and occasionally modelled for a London agency

Miss Spinks, who studied art and design at Chesterfield College and lived in Old Whittington, worked as a packer at e-commerce firm Xbite with suspected killer Michael Sellars, and occasionally modelled for a London agency

Miss Spinks, who studied art and design at Chesterfield College and lived in Old Whittington, worked as a packer at e-commerce firm Xbite with suspected killer Michael Sellars, and occasionally modelled for a London agency

Miss Spinks' parents Alison Heaton and Richard Spinks both added a frame to their Facebook profile pictures after midnight which read: '#Stop Violence Against Women #Justice For Women'

Miss Spinks' parents Alison Heaton and Richard Spinks both added a frame to their Facebook profile pictures after midnight which read: '#Stop Violence Against Women #Justice For Women'

Her mother Mrs Heaton swapped the image for a photo of Miss Spinks and wrote: 'My beautiful daughter Gracie, taken away from me, her dad and brother and sister, and everyone who loved and cared for her'

Her mother Mrs Heaton swapped the image for a photo of Miss Spinks and wrote: 'My beautiful daughter Gracie, taken away from me, her dad and brother and sister, and everyone who loved and cared for her'

Michael Sellars, 35, is believed to have fatally wounded the 23-year-old horse enthusiast - who was found dead in the picturesque village of Duckmanton in Derbyshire on Friday morning

Michael Sellars, 35, is believed to have fatally wounded the 23-year-old horse enthusiast - who was found dead in the picturesque village of Duckmanton in Derbyshire on Friday morning

Derbyshire Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over into the death of part-time model Gracie Spinks, 23, (pictured) who was killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Friday

Derbyshire Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over into the death of part-time model Gracie Spinks, 23, (pictured) who was killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Friday

A forensic tent in Derbyshire village where 23-year-old's body was found on Friday morning

A forensic tent in Derbyshire village where 23-year-old's body was found on Friday morning

Michael Sellars, 35, is believed to have fatally wounded the 23-year-old horse enthusiast, who was found dead in a paddock in the picturesque village of Duckmanton in Derbyshire on Friday morning. Derbyshire Police said a man's body was later discovered half a mile away and they are not looking for anyone else - indicating a possible murder-suicide

 Michael Sellars, 35, is believed to have fatally wounded the 23-year-old horse enthusiast, who was found dead in a paddock in the picturesque village of Duckmanton in Derbyshire on Friday morning. Derbyshire Police said a man's body was later discovered half a mile away and they are not looking for anyone else - indicating a possible murder-suicide

It is not clear if the referral to the IOPC is because of prior contact with Miss Spinks and an alleged stalker or because of the weapons that were handed in which Derbyshire Police have not confirmed is linked to Miss Spinks' death. 

Speaking to MailOnline, the force confirmed it had referred itself to the watchdog while an IOPC spokesman added: 'We have been notified that a referral is being made by the force. When we receive it, we will carry out an assessment to determine what further action is needed by us.' 

Six weeks ago a walker found a backpack filled with a cache of weapons on a farmer's track just 100 yards away from where Miss Spinks was killed. 

Miss White said she brought the bag to her local police station but was told nothing could be done. 

On Friday, roads in and out of the area were cordoned off after Miss Spinks' assailant reportedly fled towards a country park.

A primary school went into lockdown and local businesses were issued with a description of a suspect in grey jogging bottoms and a black top.

But by lunchtime police said the situation had been 'resolved' after the body of a man in his 30s was discovered around half a mile away.

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