Gracie Spinks’ Killer Declared: Stalker’s Fatal Attack Ruled Unlawful
A jury at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court has delivered a grim verdict on the tragic 2021 death of 23-year-old Gracie Spinks. She was brutally stabbed to death by her stalker, 35-year-old Michael Sellers, in a chilling crime that shocked the local community.
Brutal Stabbing at Chesterfield Horse Yard
Gracie was found dead on June 18, 2021, while caring for her horse in Duckmanton, near Chesterfield. Michael Sellers was discovered dead nearby, believed to have taken his own life. The jury heard Sellers stabbed Gracie 10 times in a savage attack, leaving no doubt about the cause of her death.
“The evidence overwhelmingly pointed to Sellers as the attacker,” said Coroner Matthew Kewley, who led the jury of 10. They were instructed to return a verdict of “unlawfully killed” – a conclusion they confirmed this Thursday afternoon.
Ignored Warnings and Police Failings
Michael Sellers, described as “the supervisor” in court, had a history of harassing Gracie, who reported him for stalking in January 2021. Despite this, a chilling bag of weapons, including knives and an axe, was found close to the crime scene in May – a red flag that went unacted upon.
- Derbyshire Police acknowledged multiple failings in handling the case.
- Officers admitted shortcomings, with one expressing sorrow to Gracie’s family.
- However, the jury was barred from deciding whether these errors contributed to the fatal outcome.
Police Pledge To Improve But Criticism Remains
Before the verdict, Derbyshire Constabulary admitted the need to improve how they handle stalking cases and risk assessment. Detective Superintendent Darren De’ath said the force had made progress but recognised ongoing concerns raised during the inquest.
“We have not yet fully achieved what we set out to do but remain committed to improving our approach to protect victims,” De’ath told reporters.
Coroner Kewley voiced frustration that some officers involved showed little willingness to rethink how they assess risk, highlighting a critical area for change.
Gracie Spinks’ death is a stark reminder of the dangers stalking victims face and the urgent need for police forces to respond more effectively before it’s too late.
