FAMILY HORROR
Mum-of-4 Katie Higton and lover killed ‘while her kids were in the house’ as man arrested over double ‘murder’
A BELOVED mum-of-four and her new partner were stabbed to death while her kids were in the house, loved ones have revealed.
Katie Higton, 27, was found with multiple injuries inside a home in Huddersfield yesterday morning.
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A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Police confirmed both Katie and partner Steven Harnett, 25, are believed to have been knifed during the horror attack.
Katie's former brother-in-law today told how his sibling dated the mum for seven years and was the dad of her oldest two children.
He said the children were "in the property when the incident took place".
West Yorkshire Police confirmed it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following prior contact with the "parties involved".
Tributes have flooded in for mental health nurse Katie, who had four children including a six-month-old baby.
Pals said she had recently starting dating her new partner, Steven Harnett, 25, who was tragically declared dead alongside Katie.
One said: "Katie had started going out with another man, going to the cinema and that sort of thing."
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Paying tribute, another friend added: "Katie was one of my best friends.
"She was a brilliant mother and great nurse carer for the mentally ill.
“I’m heartbroken for her and her four kids - the littlest boy is only six months old."
While one pal wrote: "RIP my gorgeous!! You made me laugh when I needed to laugh and you were such amazing mum to the kids and amazing person!
"Don’t know how I’m going to carry on without seeing your kids, having a conversation with you or even our funny dances!!
Soo sorry gorgeous you were taken too soon!!
"Your kids will be looking up at you I promise!! Love you lots missy! And will miss you so much!!
"Rip to the man as well he didn’t deserve it."
Tributes have also poured in for Steven who had a ";heart of gold".
A friend of the dad said: "RIP Steven I will always make sure your daughter knows who you are.
"You loved her with all your heart and I will always make sure she knows she is daddy’s favourite girl."
Police raced to the property on Harpe Inge just before 10am yesterday.
Katie and her boyfriend were found inside with multiple injuries after the "exceptionally serious" attack.
Their deaths sparked a major police manhunt, with armed officers raiding several addresses looking for a suspect.
West Yorkshire Police later confirmed a suspect had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “This has clearly been an exceptionally serious offence and I can promise residents that a full investigation is ongoing into the murder of this man and woman.
“We are conducting extensive enquiries at the scene and at other locations in the Dalton area as we investigate the circumstances of what took place.
“I am appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity overnight or this morning at the property on Harpe Inge to contact us.
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“Residents in the nearby area will also note an increased police presence on their streets and I want to reassure them and the wider community we are doing all we can to bring persons responsible for this offence to justice.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting reference 408 of 15 May.
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