Gracie Spinks was fatally stabbed in the neck by ex-colleague she reported for stalking

16 November 2023, 15:34 | Updated: 16 November 2023, 16:01

Gracie Spinks was unlawfully killed by the man she had reported for stalking
Gracie Spinks was unlawfully killed by the man she had reported for stalking. Picture: Gracie’s Law

By Asher McShane

Gracie Spinks was stabbed in the neck by an ex-colleague she had reported for stalking, an inquest jury has unanimously concluded.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ms Spinks, 23, was fatally stabbed by 35-year-old Michael Sellers as she tended to her horse at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, on June 18 2021. Sellers was later found dead a short distance away.

The 10 members of the jury - who wore pink and purple wristbands in Ms Spinks' memory - concluded that she was unlawfully killed by Sellers, whom she had reported to police over stalking concerns several months earlier.

Multiple failings already admitted by Derbyshire Police were referred to in the record of inquest filled in by the jurors, but they had been prevented by a coroner from deciding whether the failings had contributed to Ms Spinks' death.

Following the inquest, Ms Spinks' family said Derbyshire Police had let her and them down, while the force said that it fully accepted the findings of the jury and had made "significant" changes.

Flowers left at the scene of the murder of Gracie Spinks, near Duckmanton, Derbyshire
Flowers left at the scene of the murder of Gracie Spinks, near Duckmanton, Derbyshire. Picture: Alamy

Returning their conclusion on Thursday, in which Sellers was referred to as "the supervisor", the jury foreman said: "Derbyshire Constabulary had admitted the following serious failings.

"However, it could not be concluded that these failings contributed to Gracie's death on June 18 2021.

"It was the supervisor that killed Gracie."

The jury returned its conclusion after retiring on Wednesday, having previously been instructed by coroner Matthew Kewley that it could only return a conclusion of unlawful killing.

The coroner said there could be "no alternative" explanation due to the nature of the evidence, which he said pointed "overwhelmingly" to the fact that Sellers killed Ms Spinks and then took his own life.

Ms Spinks met Sellers at work in 2020 but, after meeting socially on a handful of occasions, she declined to pursue a relationship with him, the inquest heard.

But Sellers became "obsessed" with her and would repeatedly contact her, ask colleagues to report on her activity, and would "spy" on her on CCTV.

Read more: Met Police officers face the sack over handling of investigation into murders by serial killer Stephen Port

Read more: Sixth body found by police investigating blaze at house in Hounslow that claimed the lives of three children

He was sacked when Ms Spinks reported him to their employer after he was seen waiting in a lay-by near Blue Lodge Farm in January 2021, after eight women previously reported his inappropriate conduct towards them.

Ms Spinks also contacted Derbyshire Police, but Sellers was only rated as low-risk and given words of advice in a car park, with no further action taken despite him telling officers he thought the pair were in a relationship.

A rucksack - later found to belong to Sellers - was discovered on a bridle path near Blue Lodge Farm in May 2021, which contained knives, a hammer, an axe, Viagra tablets and a note saying "Don't lie", but this was dismissed by police and no further action taken.

The police had accepted multiple failings prior to the jury's conclusion concerning their investigation into Ms Spinks' complaint and their handling of the bag.

Ms Spinks, 23, was fatally stabbed by 35-year-old Michael Sellers
Ms Spinks, 23, was fatally stabbed by 35-year-old Michael Sellers. Picture: Xbite Ltd/Facebook

The jury agreed in their conclusion that there were failings, including that Sellers should not have only been given a warning following Ms Spinks' complaint and police should have done more to trace the owner of the rucksack.

Several officers gave evidence in the inquest, with one saying the weapons should have been a "concern" and another telling Ms Spinks' family he was "truly sorry" and that the force "should have done better".

Mr Kewley said that a Prevention of Future Death Report would be issued to Derbyshire Police's Chief Constable and others over the coming days.

Thanking the jury, he said: "I really just want to give you my thanks for the way that you've engaged over the last few weeks.

"You've shown a great deal of effort and commitment."

He also extended his condolences to Ms Spinks' family, several of whom had attended since the start of the hearing on October 30, describing their resilience as "remarkable" throughout.

Speaking following the inquest, Ms Spinks' father Richard Spinks, said: "Gracie was our daughter, the light of our lives. She was the gel that kept us all together.

"We miss her every day and will continue to remember her every second, of every minute, of every hour, as long as we live.

"Derbyshire Police let Gracie down, they let the family down, they let themselves down, and we hope that they do not let anybody else down.

"They do need to change how they operate from top to bottom."

Reading a statement on behalf of Derbyshire Police, Detective Superintendent Darren De'ath said: "Put simply, as a force we failed Gracie, and for that, I can only offer my own and the force's most sincere apologies.

"We have now heard the conclusion of the jury - who we thank for their time and dedication in hearing the evidence and considering it so closely - and we accept these fully.

"We await any further recommendations that may come from the coroner and will review these in due course.

"But I want to be clear that, since Gracie's death in June 2021, significant work has already been completed to tackle the failures that were identified prior to the inquest.

"There has also, over the last two-and-a-half-years, been significant changes to the ways in which we as a force receive and investigate stalking reports - as well as how we support and safeguard victims of these crimes.

"However, none of this seeks to minimise the failings that we have seen in this case and the force fully accepts the failures that were part of this most tragic set of circumstances."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Andrew Marr spoke to Liz Carr

'It'll be coercion on a state level': Liz Carr argues that assisted dying bill risks people feeling there is 'no choice'

x

'He did everything right': Reporter who broke story of John Smyth's abuse defends Justin Welby following resignation

Kate Mulcahy, 37, was found dead after a fierce blaze broke out at the home in Greater Manchester

Mother of four, 37, killed in fire at £1.2m home as her four young children 'manage to escape'

A key vote on assisted dying will take place at the end of the month.

'There are different views and opinions': MP behind assisted dying bill reveals cabinet split ahead of key vote

The Queen at her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection.

Queen Camilla seen for the first time after missing Remembrance Sunday service due to chest infection

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Why has Justin Welby resigned and what happens next to the Church? All your questions answered

The trio of brazen shoplifters has been jailed

Shameless shoplifters jailed for stealing £200,000 of goods in 120 offences after being caught on CCTV

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

'Knifeman' arrested by armed police after reports of man 'carrying knives' outside Parliament

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury in the wake of abuse scandal

Read in full: Justin Welby's letter resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury

Curtis Green

Father-to-be shot dead after south London party named and pictured for first time as family pay tribute

Nottingham Panthers forward Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury in October 2023

Police issue update on man arrested over manslaughter of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following damning report into Church abuse scandal

The husband of Erin Jayne Plummer has reportedly died in a suspected self-harm incident

Husband of Australian TV star dies suddenly two years after her suicide leaving three kids orphaned

Sue Gray

Sue Gray rejects Keir Starmer's job offer after being removed as chief of staff

Malin Andersson was caught in a horror motorway incident

Love Island star Malin Andersson 'seconds from death' after £100k BMW 'blew up and caught fire'

File photo of congestion on the M5

Teen girl killed in M5 crash fled police car onto motorway before being hit by oncoming traffic