- Amie Gray was attacked on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday
A 20-year-old man from Croydon, south London, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman who was stabbed to death on a beach in Bournemouth.
Amie Gray, 34, was attacked on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday night.
The women’s football coach from nearby Poole died at the scene, while a 38-year-old woman, also from Poole, was also stabbed and sustained serious injuries. She remains in hospital.
On Sunday, Dorset Police released CCTV footage of a hooded suspect seen in the area.
The force has now said that a 20-year-old man from the Croydon area has been arrested in London on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Amie Gray, a women’s football coach, was named as the victim who lost her life in the stabbing
Forensics officers pictured on Saturday near the shore where blood appears to be on the sand
Dorset Police intelligence and firearms officers worked with the Metropolitan Police to arrest the man.
The update comes after Dorset Police arrested a 17-year-old boy on Saturday who they subsequently released without charge after police said they had eliminated him from their enquiries.
Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: ‘The investigation has progressed at speed over recent days, which has now led to an arrest being made in London.
‘Officers from Dorset Police intelligence and firearms teams worked together with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police to carry out the arrest.
‘We are continuing to update the loved ones of the woman who tragically died, as well as the victim in hospital, with all the latest developments and our thoughts remain with them.
‘I would like to thank everyone so far who has provided information and reiterate my appeal for any witnesses who have not already come forward to please contact Dorset Police.
‘The enhanced visible policing presence in the area will remain in place and we would continue to strongly encourage anyone with concerns to please not hesitate to speak to any officer who will be able to listen and provide appropriate advice.’
Police have urged anyone with information on the attack to come forward.
Police search teams scale down a cliffside today looking for evidence near the West Cliff
Amie was married to wife Sian Gray and was step-mother to her 13-year-old daughter.
She worked for National Windscreens and was also the ladies head coach for the Dorset Futsal Club.
She was also known to have regularly provided lifts to friends and was meant to have picked someone up from the Bournemouth 7s Festival at Chapel Gate, about three miles from Durley Chine beach, just over an hour after she was killed.
Tributes have poured in for the fitness instructor, who friends described as ‘loved’ and ‘a beautfiul person’.
Sian Gray (left) pictured with her wife Amie Gray (right) who was found with stab wounds on Durley Chine Beach
Amie, who was a women’s football coach, has been described as a ‘beautiful person inside and out’
Over the weekend, Amie’s wife and step-daughter paid tribute to her by sprinkling rose petals into the sea at sunset while looking up at the sky and telling her they love her.
Sian said: ‘Sunsets will always remind us of you Amie Gray. Forever loved wife and mother.’
Friend Michelle Small said: ‘Devastated by this. Worked with Amie Gray in her very first job when she turned 17.
Flowers were left for Amie and a second stabbing victim who remains seriously injured
‘She was always the kindest lovely young girl and continued to be so throughout her cruelly cut short life. RIP beautiful girl.’
Nicola Smale, another 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.’
Alice Fraser added: ‘You lit up the room with your fun and bubbly presence.’