This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A man is being questioned by police on suspicion of the murder of a woman who was found dead after a “brutal and sustained” assault.

Rosie Darbyshire, 27, was discovered by emergency services on a pavement in Preston, Lancashire, after reports of an altercation at about 2am on Thursday.

A postmortem examination found Darbyshire, from Ribbleton, a suburb of the city, died of serious head injuries.

A 25-year-old man from Preston was arrested close to the scene. Detectives said they believed her attacker was known to her.

In a tribute, Darbyshire’s family said: “It doesn’t seem real that our crazy, wig-wearing, talented, goofy Rosie won’t be bursting through the door in song any more.

“We are utterly heartbroken and don’t doubt that this devastating news will be affecting so many more people than we could ever imagine.

“We ask for time to grieve and attempt to process this as a family. Rosie’s wonderful son is our priority right now.”

DCI Geoff Hurst, from Lancashire constabulary’s major investigation team, said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with Rosie’s family, who are understandably devastated. We have family liaison officers providing them support at this extremely difficult and sad time.

“We are treating this as a murder and believe that Rosie’s attacker was known to her. We do not believe there is any kind of wider threat to the local community.”

He appealed to anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the area at the time to contact police either by calling 101, or talking to the extra officers that would be in the vicinity.