Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tributes pour in for ‘beautiful’ woman stabbed to death on Bournemouth beach

Personal trainer Amie Gray has been described as a ‘wonderful human being’

Holly Evans
Tuesday 28 May 2024 07:11 EDT
Police cordon off Bournemouth beach after two women stabbed

Heartfelt tributes have started to pour in for a woman killed in a horrific double stabbing on Bournemouth beach, with friends describing her as a “beautiful person inside and out”.

Named locally as Amie Gray, the 34-year-old from nearby Poole was found with fatal knife injuries on Durley Chine Beach shortly before midnight on Friday and died at the scene.

Amie Gray has been named locally as the woman killed in a stabbing on Bournemouth beach
Amie Gray has been named locally as the woman killed in a stabbing on Bournemouth beach (Facebook)

While Dorset Police initially arrested a 17-year-old boy, they have since eliminated him from their enquiries and he has been released without charge.

CCTV images have been released of the suspect, which shows a hooded man walking in the city with the manhunt now entering its fifth day.

Taking to social media, friends of Ms Gray have described her as a “wonderful human being” who “didn’t have any enemies”.

Police officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing at Durley Chine Beach in Bournemouth
Police officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing at Durley Chine Beach in Bournemouth (PA Wire)

Speaking to The Independent, her friend Michelle Shipley said: “Me and my daughter are still in shock. I was talking to her hours before and planned to see her on the Sunday. I will forever treasure her voicenotes and the pink blanky she gave to my daughter.

“She was a lovely woman, easy going and such fun,” she added.

A personal trainer who was also head coach for the Dorset Futsal Club Ladies, those she had taught within the community have come forward to praise her dedication and passion.

In a post on their Facebook page, the club changed their profile picture to black and wrote: “Today the club has received some truly devastating news. We cannot put this into words at this time and as a mark of respect to all those affected, we will not be posting anything new for the foreseeable future.”

One friend said: “Fly high Amie Gray, I’ll miss you so much. I feel so heavy! You were such a good friend and someone I could call about anything. A beautiful person inside and out, thank you for all the laughs and memories I will cherish forever.”

A 38-year-old woman was also attacked during the incident and remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Dorset Police released CCTV images of a hooded suspect over the weekend and continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as officers work to confirm his identity.

The CCTV images are of a man wearing a dark hooded jacket, with inquiries continuing to confirm his identity
The CCTV images are of a man wearing a dark hooded jacket, with inquiries continuing to confirm his identity (Dorset Police/PA Wire)

In an update, detective superintendent Richard Dixey said: “The investigation into this tragic incident is progressing and detectives are dedicated to finding out what happened and ensuring our communities remain safe and secure.

“We need the public’s help to identify the suspect in the CCTV images. If you recognise him or have any information, no matter how small, that may lead us to his identity please get in touch immediately.

“We would ask the public not to approach a suspect under any circumstances, but to call 999 immediately.

“Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the woman who tragically lost her life and the surviving victim as we drive forward our investigation.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in