Update 7 August 12.30pm

Following his court appearance earlier today, Shaun Emmerson has been remanded into custody until his next hearing at Lincoln Crown Court tomorrow (8 August).

Formal identification is yet to take place, but we believe the identity of the woman who died at a property in Kirk Close, West Ashby to be 71-year-old Christine Emmerson.

The incident happened on Thursday 3 August. Christine was sadly found in the property and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her family is being supported by Family Liaison Officers and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time. They do not wish to comment further and have asked for media not to contact them.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Adrian Czajkowski from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) said: “Our thoughts remain with Christine’s family and friends and we’re doing all we can to support them at this difficult time.

“We are still appealing for information that can assist with our investigation. If you have any information that you can share with us and haven’t yet been in touch, please do so by calling 101 or emailing force.[email protected] quoting incident 175 of 3 August”.

Alternatively, you can also contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit their website.

Update 5 August 3.45 pm

We have charged Shaun Emmerson, 50, of Kirk Close, West Ashby with murder.  He remains in custody and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday 7 August.

The charges relate to an incident in West Ashby on Thursday 3 August when the body of a woman was found at an address on Kirk Close, West Ashby.  Emmerson was arrested at the scene. 

We are unable to name the victim until formal ID procedures have been completed.  The woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by Family Liaison Officers.

Detective Inspector Adrian Czajkowski, Senior Investigating Officer, East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “We have been working hard to understand the circumstances that have led to this tragic death.  Our thoughts are with family and friends, and we send our condolences to them. 

“The news of this murder which happened on Thursday will come as a shock to the local community and I understand people may feel unsettled. I hope this update will put some minds at rest; we are not looking for anyone else in connection with our investigation.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who can assist our inquiries, if you have any information to offer, please get in touch.”

Please call 101, email [email protected] or alternatively contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org

Update 4 August 11.35am

Enquiries are still ongoing, and police will remain in the area for some time. At this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. The man arrested remains in police custody.

We are still appealing for witnesses and any other information that can assist in our inquiries. If you have any information, no matter how small, please get in touch by calling 101 or emailing force[email protected] quoting incident 175 of 3 August. 

Original release

We are investigating the death of a woman near Horncastle.

We received reports of an altercation just after 12.30pm today (3 August) at a property in Kirk Close, West Ashby.

Officers attended and a woman in her 70s was found with what is believed to be knife wounds. She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and her next of kin have been made aware.

A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.

A large police presence will remain in the area while enquiries are ongoing.

We are in the early stages of our investigation and officers are working diligently to understand what happened.

We are also appealing for any information that can assist with our investigation. If you can help, please call 101 or email [email protected] quoting incident 175 of 3 August in the subject line.