Murder probe launched after woman found dead

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A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead in Cheylesmore.

The body of 53-year-old Tracey Snook-Kite was found in The Monks Croft at 6.40am on Sunday morning.

A forensic post-mortem, which took place earlier today (Monday), showed she had sustained head injuries consistent with an assault.

A 48-year-old man who was arrested at the property on suspicion of murder is being held in custody.

Officers leading the inquiry are now trying to piece together exactly what happened in the hours leading up to her death.

They are appealing for the driver of a black cab, who they believe drove her home from the Earlsdon area, to come forward.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, said: “We know Tracey was picked up from the taxi rank outside the Albany Club at around 11pm on Saturday evening.

“The driver, who we believe to be Asian, could have vital information that may assist our investigation and I would appeal for them to contact us as soon as possible.”

The house is being treated as a crime scene and remains cordoned off as specially trained officers support Tracey’s family.

Anyone who feels they can assist the investigation should contact West Midlands Police Force CID on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Man charged for murder of Cheylesmore charity worker Tracy Kite



A 48-year-old man is due to appear before Coventry Magistrates Court today charged with the murder of a Cheylesmore woman.

Antony Stanger was charged with 52-year-old Tracy Kite’s death last night following his arrest on Sunday.

Ms Kite’s body was found by the ambulance service at The Monks Croft at 6.40am on Sunday morning.

The results of a forensic post-mortem showed that Tracy had sustained head injuries consistent with an assault.

Investigating officer, Det Insp Harry Harrison, said: "Following our appeal on Monday for a black cab driver to come forward we had a huge amount of assistance from all the taxi companies in Coventry and I would like to express my gratitude for their help.

"Tracy’s family continues to be supported by specially trained officers and I would ask that the family’s privacy is respected as they try to come to terms with their loss."

Colleagues of the charity worker have told the Telegraph of their shock after she was found dead at a house in Cheylesmore.

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Police investigating death of Cheylesmore woman keen to trace two men



Police investigating the death of a Cheylesmore woman in February have released CCTV footage of two men they want to speak to.

Tracy Kite, aged 52, was found by paramedics with head injuries inside her house in Monks Croft at 6.40am on February 23.

Her house is on the edge next to an alleyway seen in the footage taken on the night Mrs Kite is believed to have died.

Det Insp Harry Harrison, from the major investigation review team, said: “We continue to piece together the events of the night Tracy died and specialist officers continue to view hours of CCTV footage for any further clues.

“We are keen to trace the two men in the footage who were seen walking along the alleyway from Daintree Croft to Monks Croft minutes after Tracy used the same alleyway to walk home.

“This was the night of the England vs Ireland six nations rugby match and these men may have been on the way home from a night out.

“It is really important that they come forward so we can establish if they recall anything that may help our investigation.

“I would stress that these men are not suspects but could hold vital information that may assist our case.”

Anthony Stanyer, 52, was charged with Tracy’s murder and is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court today.

If you are these men or you know who they are call Force CID on 101.

Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Fiancé found not guilty of killing Coventry charity worker Tracy Snook-Kite

A 49-year-old man has been cleared of killing his fiancée at their Coventry home.

Anthony Stanyer had been accused of manslaughter after his partner Tracy Snook-Kite died at their home in Cheylesmore.

But at Birmingham Crown Court a jury returned a not guilty verdict on the charge this afternoon.

The 52-year-old charity worker died in February at the couple’s home in The Monks Croft.

The jury had heard that Ms Snook-Kite, who worked for Coventry Cyrenians, died as a result of positional asphyxiation, possibly caused by alcohol or a concussion.

Mr Stanyer had been accused of attacking his fiancee and leaving her to die, but the jury returned a not guilty verdict after less than a day’s deliberation.

Mr Stanyer, 49, had denied playing any part in the tragedy and told the court during the trial that Ms Snook-Kite was his “soul mate”.

Speaking from the witness stand earlier in the week, Mr Stanyer said: “We were like soul mates. We were really good friends and lovers.

“We just got on so well with each other. We had the same interests.”

The court heard that the pair met in 2010 and moved in together in September 2011. They got engaged in June last year and planned to marry late this year or in 2015.

Recalling the day of her death, Mr Stanyer told jurors that he found Ms Snook-Kite at the foot of the stairs in such an awkward position that she couldn’t breathe.

“I thought she was asleep,” he said. “It looked like she had collapsed against the door.

“I thought ‘Silly cow, she’s fallen asleep at the bottom of the stairs’.

“At first I was going down the stairs normally. About halfway down I sensed there was something wrong.

“I tried to revive her. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently.

“In my head I knew she was dead but in my heart I was hoping she was alive.”