Sadie Hartley: Detectives find knife in garden next to scene of businesswoman's 'horrific' murder

Company director was found with multiple stab wounds in the hallway of her house in the village of Helmshore, Lancashire

Businesswoman Sadie Hartley’s body was discovered in January in the hallway of her house in Helmshore, Lancashire (PA)

Detectives investigating the “horrific” murder of a 60-year-old businesswoman at her luxury home in Lancashire have discovered a knife in the front garden next to where she was killed.

Company director Sadie Hartley was found with multiple stab wounds in the hallway of her £500,000 house in the village of Helmshore. There was no sign of a break-in.

Police believe she was targeted and are investigating a possible link between the murder and a spate of recent car thefts and burglaries in the area.

A 34-year-old woman, with no known link to Ms Hartley, was arrested in the Chester area over the weekend on suspicion of murder and currently remains in police custody. On Monday night, a 55-year-old woman was arrested, also in Chester, on suspicion of murder.

A number of key witnesses are now being sought by detectives who believe that the truth “lies within the community”.

Ms Hartley’s partner Ian Johnston was abroad on a skiing holiday with friends at the time of the attack on Friday evening and is back in the UK. He is not a suspect.

Det Supt Paul Withers of Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Team (FMIT) said: “This is clearly a horrific attack. She was a decent lady and she did not deserve to end her life in this way.

“I’m appealing for the local residents to help us with our enquiries as I firmly believe that the truth is here in the community. We are determined to see justice done for Sadie.”

Detectives are now searching for the driver of an old-style Renault Clio, which was seen on CCTV driving into Ms Hartley’s road at around 8pm and then driving off a minute later. Around the same time a man was captured on the footage from a neighbour’s house walking out of the cul-de-sac in the general direction of the village store. The man is seen to pass another person, who is also being sought, walking in the opposite direction into the cul-de-sac.

Det Supt Withers said that it was “vital” to trace them as they could hold “key information”.

A jogger is also seen on the footage a few moments later and is being urged to contact police.

Hartley Taylor Medical Communications, where Ms Hartley worked, said in a statement: “At this very difficult time, our thoughts are with her son and daughter, family, friends and loved ones.”