Sarah Williams has made a very brief appearance at Blackburn magistrates court for allegedly killing businesswoman Sadie Hartley. The hearing only lasted for three minutes to which, she only spoke to confirm her name, address and birthdate.
Hartley, a 60-year-old entrepreneur, was found stabbed to death by the authorities on a Friday evening in the hallway of her home on Sunny Bank Road, Hemshore, Lancashire, as reported by The Guardian. The police said she was attacked the night before, revealing she had suffered a number of knife wounds to her hands and arms based on post-mortem results. She was then stabbed repetitively in the body.
Detectives have suspected that it was a targeted attack rather than the motive of robbery. According to The Independent, Hartley was last seen alive last January 14 at a Manchester conference. An employee then became concerned after she had not been in touch, making her call the paramedics to her home the next day.
"I don't feel this is a random attack, I think Sadie has been targeted by an individual who clearly had some issues with her for whatever reason and it is imperative we find out why this has happened," Detective Superintendent Paul Withers from Lancashire Police said.
The police confirmed that Hartley was a mother of two kids, a son and a daughter, said Rossendale Free Press. She was a company director at Hartley Taylor Medical Communications Ltd located in Knutsford, Chesire.
Detectives are now appealing for help to trace a number of people seen near Hartley's home on Thursday evening. This includes the driver of a passing Renault Clio car, a man and a jogger who are both identified as local residents.
As for Williams, who is working for the travel firm Crystal Ski Holidays, she will make another appearance at Preston crown court on Friday. Withers further made a statement about her, saying he does not think that the victim knows Williams, but still remains to be seen.
