A woman has been charged with murder after a young father was brutally stabbed to death in his own home on Christmas Day.
Louis Price was fatally knifed in the property where he lived with his parents in the quiet Staffordshire village of Norton Canes.
Staffordshire Police have today announced that Kirsty Carless, 33, has been charged with the his murder.
She is due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre later today.
Cops were called to a report of a man in his 30s in cardiac arrest on Elm Road, Norton Canes, at around 3.25am on Christmas Day.
They found Mr Price gravely injured and he died despite the efforts of paramedics.
Mr Price’s heartbroken parents Graham and Eleanor Price were given the shattering news whilst on a dream getaway and have since raced back to the UK, locals claimed.
Neighbours in the usually peaceful, close knit square where Mr Price lived told of their horror as they were woken in the middle of the morning by flashing police and ambulance lights.
Louis Price (pictured) was stabbed to death on Christmas Day
Staffordshire Police said officers were called to a report of a man in his 30s in cardiac arrest on Elm Road, Norton Canes, at around 3.25am on Christmas Day
They found Mr Price gravely injured and he died despite the efforts of paramedics
A mother-of-three, who lives two doors away from the house of horror told MailOnline: ‘It was about 4.30am on Christmas Day when I heard something, it woke me up, and it was a girl crying loudly and saying over and again “No, no no!”
‘I didn’t know what was going on but it sound serious, I looked outside and the emergency services were everywhere.’
The woman, who asked not to be named, added: ‘We found out later that then young man who lived there with his parents had been killed by someone. We heard he was stabbed to death with a knife.
‘His poor parents were away on holiday when it happened, They usually go away to the Maldives for Christmas and that may have been where they were.
‘They will be absolutely devastated and my heart goes out to them.
‘I cannot imagine anything worse than being overseas on holiday and finding out your child has been murdered in the family home, and on Christmas Day.
‘Nobody deserves that.
‘It has shocked and saddened the whole little community here. It is beyond belief.’
Mr Price was described by neighbours as a ‘loving’ and ‘proud’ parent
Police were seen at the scene yesterday. Pictured: Norton Canes, Staffordshire
The modest end of terrace home in Norton Canes, near Cannock, Staffordshire, with police at the scene
Neighbours have told of their ‘shock’ and ‘sadness’ at the ‘horrific’ death virtually on their doorsteps
The woman continued: ‘The young man who died was a lovely lad. He lived with his dad, who is a builder, and his step mum, who worked at a local care home.
‘They kept themselves to themselves, and were a decent, hard working family.
‘Louis had a baby daughter with his girlfriend. They had been together for years.
She added: ‘I have lived here for six years and they have been here beyond that.
‘Louis worked front of house at a local Toby Carvery restaurant and he was a dad so had commitments.’
‘His dad and step mum had only last year, I think, renewed their wedding vows and Louis was there at the ceremony.
‘He is Graham’s only child but there is an elder step half brother.’
Flowers for the victim, in his early 30’s, have been placed at the front gate under a cordon
In a tribute, Louis’ family said: ‘Louis was well-loved by his family and closest friends. He was a well-known member of the community, always had a smile on his face and brought a positive energy to anywhere he went.
‘He always had time for anyone and would help anyone he could. Louis was a devoted fisherman, he had a passion for fishing and regularly went away on trips with friends and family. He loved football, he played for a team and was a life-long supporter of Aston Villa.
‘As a family we are devastated at losing Louis. Life will never be the same without him, he leaves a huge hole in the lives of everyone who knew him. Christmas is a time we have always spent together as a family, to lose Louis at this time is even harder.
‘Louis leaves behind his Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister, along with his six children. He has four daughters and two sons who he loved dearly. Louis had a big heart, he loved those closest to him.
‘As a family, we would like to ask people to respect our privacy during this difficult time and we ask that people don’t speculate about what has happened.’
Police are still appealing for anyone with information that could help their investigation to get in touch through it’s online portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/STAFFS24L22-PO1
Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.