Murder of Linzi Ashton

Linzi Ashton (born 30 December 1987) was found murdered in her home on Westbourne Avenue, Winton, Greater Manchester on June 29, 2013.

A police manhunt took place for over one month for 28 year old suspect Michael Cope, until he was finally arrested at an address in Leigh. A postmortem examination determined the mother of two died from multiple injuries including pressure to the neck.

Linzi had been in a brief and violent relationship with Michael for just over nine months and, Greater Manchester Police revealed, Miss Ashton had filed two reports against Michael Cope, one for [...] in April 2012 and a second regarding an assault in May the same year, although both statements against Cope were retracted by Miss Ashton and the relationship continued.

Michael Cope was charged with the [...] but maintained his innocence with a not guilty plea until the morning of his trial at Manchester Crown court when he changed his plea suddenly to guilty. He was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison after it was revealed Linzi suffered 108 injuries during a prolonged and violent attack.