A MAN has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Pitsea animal sanctuary worker Laura Davies.

Unemployed Jordan Taylor, 22, of Churchill Avenue, Basildon, was charged last night, having been arrested near the scene of the murder on Friday.

Taylor will remain in police custody before appearing at Basildon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

A 20-year-old Basildon man, who was also arrested and questioned, has been released without charge.

The murder took place outside Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, in Pitsea Hall Lane, at about 8.15pm on Friday.

Police remain at the scene of the murder, near Wat Tyler Park.

A post-mortem examination, carried out yesterday, has found the provisional cause of death was hypovolemic shock caused by multiple stab wounds.

DCI Marina Ericson, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, is leading the investigation.

She said: "We are continuing to appeal for witnesses and I would urge anyone who may have been in the area of the horse sanctuary or the park around the time of the murder on Friday evening to contact Essex Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 101, or they can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Saturday 9pm

A woman who was murdered in Pitsea on Friday has been identified as a member of staff at an animal sanctuary.

Laura Davies, 21, was stabbed outside Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, in Pitsea Hall Lane, at about 8.15pm.

Two men have been arrested and are being questioned by police in relation to the murder.

In a statement, the sanctuary said: "Laura was dedicated, caring, compassionate and hard working with a true love for all the animals here at the sanctuary. 

"They certainly loved her very much too. A beautiful and very special girl who will be so missed by us all.

"Our thoughts are with Laura's family at this time; we can't begin to imagine their heartache.

"It has been our privilege and honour to have had Laura as part of our team.

"We know Laura cared for all the resident animals here."

Laura had worked at the sanctuary since January 2013, when she joined as an apprentice.

Scroll down for details of the ongoing police investigation

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Saturday 10.30am

A WOMAN who was stabbed on Friday in Pitsea has died from her injuries.

Police have launched a murder investigation following the incident in Pitsea Hall Lane, which took place just after 8.15pm yesterday.

The 21-year-old victim, from the local area, had been stabbed several times.

The first police officers on the scene gave her CPR and she was rushed to hospital by air ambulance, but died overnight.

The incident took place near the horse sanctuary at Wat Tyler Park, close to the railway level crossing.

Police had been contacted by a member of the public, who witnessed an altercation between a man and a woman in the area.

A 22-year-old man from Basildon was arrested at the scene shortly after the incident.

He is still being questioned by detectives this morning on suspicion of murder.

A knife was recovered nearby and cordons will remain in the area whilst further forensic enquiries are carried out this morning.

A second man, aged 20, and from Basildon, was also arrested last night and is also been questioned in relation to the murder.

DCI Marina Ericson, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, is leading the investigation.

She said: "This is a tragic incident where a young woman has lost her life in horrific circumstances.

“We have arrested two men and our enquiries are continuing today but if anyone does have any information that they think may help us then I would urge them to get in touch with my team.”

The murder took place near the entrance to the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society.

In a statement, the society said: "The sanctuary will be closed for the next few days due to unforeseen circumstances. We will let you know when we are once again open to visitors."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Essex Police on 101, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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