Colchester man charged with murder of partner left to be found by her four-year-old daughter

A man has been charged with the murder of his partner, whose body was discovered by her four-year-old daughter.

Kirsty Humphrey, 23, was pronounced dead at her flat in Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, Essex, on Wednesday morning after neighbours called the emergency services.

Her daughter, who had attended school for the first time the previous day, made the initial discovery.

Neighbours reported hearing a commotion at the property earlier that day.

Essex Police said a post-mortem examination found Miss Humphrey had died from stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Paul Czapla, 24, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, has been charged with her murder and will appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court later on Saturday.

PA