Murdered

But almost a year to the day later the families of Richard and Clare Mace are coming to terms with a Christmas Eve tragedy which claimed both their lives.

Policewoman Clare, 23, and her 26-year-old husband Richard had appeared to be a happily married couple until they split just a week ago.

Then on Christmas Eve Richard stabbed his estranged wife to death before taking his own life at their home in Clayton-le-Moors.

The sudden and brutal deaths have shocked the local community at Christmas. One neighbour said it was "a tragedy and a waste".

POLICE chiefs today paid tribute to a "committed and respected" officer who was stabbed to death by her estranged husband on Christmas Eve.

PC Clare Mace, 23, was stabbed by her 26-year-old husband Richard Mace, who then killed himself at the family home in Clayton-le-Moors.

The bodies of PC Mace, who was based in Nelson, and her husband were found by police. They forced entry to the Sefton Close home after neighbours reported a disturbance at 8.30am.

The couple were both ex-soldiers who had met and married while in the Army. They had lived in Sefton Close for about a year but had separated a week ago.

Police said Clare's body was found in a downstairs room with stab wounds inflicted by a 6in kitchen knife.

Richard, an asylum seeker support worker, whose body was discovered upstairs, was believed to have slit his wrists with the same weapon and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Detectives and crime scene investigators remained at the house throughout Christmas Eve.

Post mortem examinations were being carried out yesterday and senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said he was preparing a report for the coroner.

Clare, whose maiden name was Brierton, was born in Burnley and went to Towneley High School.

She joined the Army, aged 16, where she met Richard, who was originally from Middlesbrough.

The couple married in October 1998 when she was 18.

Clare joined the police on December 10, 2001, and had recently completed her probationary period. Her family told police she was enjoying her job as a beat bobby in Nelson.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian McAllister paid tribute to her, saying: "Clare was a committed police officer who was well respected within the force. She had a promising career ahead of her."

Richard was a keen footballer and Middlesbrough fan, who had signed for York City as a schoolboy.

He joined the Royal Signals Corps aged 20 and was in the Army for three years.

His parents Richard and June Mace described him as: "A popular and well-loved lad who is going to be sadly missed by all his friends and family. He was especially close to his brother, Robert."

His parents added that they knew he loved Clare very much.

June Mace said: "We're devastated. They seemed so happy. They had a wonderful home and we have no idea how this could have happened. Something terrible must have happened in the last week for this to have happened.

"It hasn't sunk in yet. Our son loved his wife so much."

Neighbour Alan Butterworth, who has lived in the small close for just over a year, said: "I didn't really know them but they always smiled and waved in the street and seemed very friendly.

"It's a tragedy and a waste. They were a young couple and it's Christmas."