Man Charged with Murder After Mother Found Stabbed in Hampshire Thatched Cottage
A man has been formally charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of his mother at a picturesque thatched cottage in a quiet Hampshire village. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community of Cheriton, where the victim was a well-known and beloved figure.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Housekeeper Gilly Livie, aged 68, was discovered by paramedics and police officers with severe injuries at her home in Cheriton, Hampshire, on the morning of January 9. Emergency services were called to the address off the B3046 at precisely 10.31am, where they found Ms Livie and another man, both with serious wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, Ms Livie was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination confirmed her cause of death as a stab wound to the neck.
The man found injured at the property, who was known to the grandmother, sustained life-threatening injuries to his neck and leg. He was urgently transported to hospital for treatment. On Monday, following his discharge from medical care, he was arrested on suspicion of murder and transferred from the hospital into police custody.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Hampshire Constabulary announced last night that Daniel Livie, 39, of Alton, Hampshire, has now been charged with the murder of his mother. In addition to the murder charge, he faces an additional count of making threats to kill in relation to another man on January 8. Daniel Livie is scheduled to appear before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to face these serious allegations.
The police force has also confirmed that a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). This action was taken because officers had visited the property on a prior occasion before Ms Livie's untimely death, prompting a standard review of police contact in such cases.
Community Tributes and Shock
In the wake of this devastating tragedy, heartfelt tributes have poured in for the 'lovely' Ms Livie from friends and neighbours. One woman, who had known her for over a decade, shared her memories with the Daily Mail, describing Ms Livie as a 'very friendly, gentle, and kind' individual. She recalled how Ms Livie kept free-range chickens and would supply eggs to locals, highlighting her community spirit.
'The whole village is shocked,' the neighbour stated. 'Everyone here is so friendly, and it's a life cut short in the most horrendous fashion.' She added that Ms Livie's sons and grandchildren would regularly visit her at the cottage, underscoring her role as a cherished family matriarch.
Other neighbours remembered Ms Livie as a keen runner who was actively involved in community activities, painting a picture of a vibrant and engaged resident. The serene setting of her thatched cottage in the quiet village of Cheriton contrasts starkly with the violence that unfolded there, leaving residents grappling with disbelief and sorrow.
As the legal process moves forward, the community continues to mourn the loss of a woman described as a pillar of kindness and warmth, whose sudden death has left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
