Mother-of-three, 47, stabbed to death in one of Britain's 'poshest villages'

A mother-of-three who was tragically found stabbed to death in one of the UK’s ‘poshest’ villages has been named by police. 

The body of Clair Ablewhite, 47, was discovered in her home shortly before 6.30pm on Saturday in Hall Lane, Colston Bassett, Nottinghamshire. 

A post-mortem examination has since been carried out and confirmed the 47-year-old suffered multiple stab wounds. 

Nottinghamshire Police revealed they had arrested a 48-year-old man on Sunday morning in connection with the incident on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody as enquiries continue. 

Detectives said they were ‘carefully and painstakingly building up a picture of what happened before, during and after the murder’.

Ms Ablewhite’s family are described as being ‘devastated’ by her death and family liaison officers are working closely with them and providing support.  

The body of Clair Ablewhite, 47, (pictured) was discovered in her home shortly before 6.30pm on Saturday in Hall Lane, Colston Bassett, Nottinghamshire. A post-mortem examination has since been carried out and confirmed the 47-year-old suffered multiple stab wounds

In a statement, Nottinghamshire Police said: ‘The death of a woman at her home in Colston Bassett is being treated as murder, police have confirmed.

‘Mother-of-three Clair Ablewhite was found dead after officers were called to the property in Hall Lane, shortly before 6.30pm on Saturday.

‘A Home Office post-mortem examination has since been carried out and confirmed the 47-year-old suffered stab wounds.

‘Officers arrested a 48-year-old man on Sunday morning on suspicion of murder in connection with the investigation and he remains in custody as enquiries continue.

‘Police have been carrying out forensic investigations at the property, as well as house-to-house enquiries and checking CCTV in the area.

‘A cordon is likely to remain in place for some time and officers will be in the area as they continue their investigations and provide reassurance to local residents.

‘Family liaison officers are working closely with the family and providing support at this difficult time.’

Detective Inspector Mel Crutchley, of Notts Police, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family as they deal with the impact of this tragedy. They have been left devastated by her loss.

‘Our investigation is now in the stages of very carefully and painstakingly building up a picture of what happened before, during and after the murder and as people can probably imagine, this process can take time as the evidence we gather makes things clearer and clearer.

‘I understand that in a quiet, close-knit community like this it is shocking for an incident like this to happen and people will be talking but I would urge people not to speculate, respect the family and please trust the judicial process to find the truth in due course.

Nottinghamshire Police revealed they had arrested a 48-year-old man on Sunday morning in connection with the incident on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody as enquiries continue. Pictured: Police cordon off Hall Lane in Colston Bassett, Nottinghamshire

‘I would also ask anyone who has information that may help the investigation to contact Nottinghamshire Police as soon as possible.’

Simon Robinson, leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: ‘It is very unusual to see this happen. and we send the woman’s family our condolences.

‘It’s a shock for this to happen in such a rural area. The woman who died was very well known in the community.’

Colston Bassett – named as one of the 54 ‘most desirable’ in the country in January – is based in the picturesque Vale of Belvoir on the Notts-Leics border, and has a population of around 400.

The average house price is around £800,000 – the most expensive in Notts – and the village is the home of traditional Stilton and Shropshire Blue cheeses.

Its dairy has been making cheese for over 100 years, and is one of only five nationwide that are permitted to name their blue cheese ‘Stilton’.

And Colston Bassett’s pub, the Martin’s Arms, is a frequent award winner renowned for its fine wine and cuisine.