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HOUSE OF HORROR

Shocked Kate Middleton and William visit grisly murder bedsit where thug knifed victim 58 times before wrapping body in bin bag

STUNNED Kate Middleton and Prince William today visited a house of horrors where a teenage girl was stabbed 58 times in a grisly murder.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Kirby Road in Blackpool where 16-year-old Sasha Marsden was lured to her death in 2013.

 Kate and William today visited a home where a gruesome murder took place in 2013 (pictured is the home)
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Kate and William today visited a home where a gruesome murder took place in 2013 (pictured is the home)Credit: PA:Press Association
 Sasha Marsden was stabbed 58 times before being dumped in an alley
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Sasha Marsden was stabbed 58 times before being dumped in an alleyCredit: PA:Press Association
 David Minto had lured the teenager to the house
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David Minto had lured the teenager to the houseCredit: PA:Press Association
 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited homes on the same street
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited homes on the same streetCredit: PA:Press Association

Her murderer David Minto - then aged 23 - butchered the schoolgirl in a "sexually motivated" stabbing frenzy that saw her knifed 58 times.

The monster then wrapped her body in a bin liner and carpet underlay before dumping her in an alley next to the home, which was once known as the Grafton House Hotel.

Sasha's injuries were so severe she had to be identified by DNA from her toothbrush.

Kate and William were today shown around the house of horrors, which has been bought by the Blackpool Housing Company along with several dilapidated properties.

They are being transformed from graffiti-laden and mouldy homes to safe, family homes available to rent.

BLACKPOOL VISIT

Kate earlier didn't let the rain dampen her spirits as she revealed she wants to take kids George, Charlotte and Louis on a seaside holiday to Blackpool.

The Duchess of Cambridge was all smiles as she and Prince William visited the coastal town - channelling Mary Poppins with a giant umbrella to stay dry.

And the mum-of-three made sure to stand out against the grey weather by donning a green £940 Sportmax coat and £225 Michael Kors dress with matching £435 Manu Atelier bag during the visit to Blackpool.

Leaving the kids at home, she and Prince William, 36, seemed in good spirits as they arrived on the Comedy Carpet that is decorated with comedians' catchphrases and jokes.

RAIN ON HER PARADE

But the 37-year-old mum told wellwishers outside the Blackpool Tower she hoped to bring her children - Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and Prince Louis, ten-months, to the resort town.

She joked: "Is the weather always like this?"

And she said she was disappointed not to go up the famous tower, adding: "Next time, I think. There's so much here the children would love as well. Hopefully next time we'll bring them back."

The British seaside institution is known for the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, an amusement park built in 1894 with vintage wooden roller coasters.

And the mum - who last week admitted she was "broody" - seemed delighted as she chatted to local children and was presented with flowers today.

Once inside the iconic tower, Kate and William briefly stopped at a giant mirror unveiled by the Princess of Wales in July 1992 to mark the opening of Tower World.

ROYAL TRIP

The royal couple were also met by local dignitaries including the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackpool, Gary and Debbie Coleman, as learnt about the town's investment and regeneration projects.

To make them feel welcome, the Blackpool tourist board even gifted the couple "I love Blackpool" shirts for the whole family.

As one little girl shouted "Hello princess", Kate waved and smiled.

And a laughing Prince William was even gifted with a paper crown by local kids.

There's so much here the children would love

Kate MiddletonThe Duchess of Sussex on Blackpool

The couple were then treated to a brief glimpse of the world-famous Tower Ballroom which is open to the public daily.

From their balcony view they watched dancers go through their strides in a waltz to I Shall See You Later, played on the Wurlitzer by Chris Hopkins.

 The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in Blackpool channelling the style of Mary Poppins
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The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in Blackpool channelling the style of Mary Poppins
 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at Blackpool Tower, where they will join a round table briefing about the town's recent history and challenges
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at Blackpool Tower, where they will join a round table briefing about the town's recent history and challenges
William and Kate see how the slum housing situation in Blackpool is being turned around d by the local council
 The Duchess told locals she wanted to take her kids to the seaside town for a holiday
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The Duchess told locals she wanted to take her kids to the seaside town for a holidayCredit: Getty - Contributor

Children from Happy Tots nursery in North Shore, Blackpool, welcomed them with gifts of Blackpool rock and posies of flowers. William said his children would appreciate the rock.

When he asked them what flavour the rock was, the children replied: "Blackpool."

Nursery manager and owner Julie Bryan said: "The children have been busy all week making flags and crowns. We also made a poster of photographs of William and Kate, together with pictures of the children, which we presented to them.

"It was an amazing experience for everyone here and it is such a privilege to be part of it."

They also presented a paper crown and garland to William.

The Royal Family is busy with engagements today, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the WE Day charity event in London. 

 

And Prince Harry sent the crowd into a frenzy as he brought his wife Meghan Markle onto stage.

The couple hugged and stood with their arms around one another as the duke told the crowd: "I am with you and we are with you. Get to work."

Rumours of a rift between Kate and Meghan were yesterday put to bed as the couple were filmed giggling during a Buckingham Palace reception.

 The Duchess of Cambridge was gifted flowers as she left Blackpool Tower
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The Duchess of Cambridge was gifted flowers as she left Blackpool TowerCredit: AFP or licensors
 The bright flowers stood out against the grey day
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The bright flowers stood out against the grey dayCredit: AFP or licensors
 The Duchess of Cambridge grins as she speaks to locals
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The Duchess of Cambridge grins as she speaks to localsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Kate stunned in the green outfit - a green Sportmax coat and Michael Kors dress
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Kate stunned in the green outfit - a green Sportmax coat and Michael Kors dressCredit: Splash News
 The mum-of-three shared a joke with some of the locals
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The mum-of-three shared a joke with some of the localsCredit: Splash News
 Prince William receives a gift from one fan
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Prince William receives a gift from one fanCredit: Splash News
 Kate Middleton recently mentioned she was 'broody' again - and seemed delighted to chat to these sweet locals
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Kate Middleton recently mentioned she was 'broody' again - and seemed delighted to chat to these sweet localsCredit: Reuters


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