Samantha Eastwood murder: Brother-in-law of midwife’s ex-fiance appears in court
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of midwife Samantha Eastwood.
Michael Stirling, 32, who is the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood’s ex-fiance John Peake, was not required to enter any pleas during the three-minute hearing at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
He was charged after her body was found in a rural area close to Caverswall in Staffordshire on Saturday.
The 28-year-old had last been seen alive leaving work at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on July 27.
The defendant, wearing a grey sweatshirt, was accompanied by two dock officers as he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
The charge states that Mr Stirling allegedly murdered Ms Eastwood between July 26 and August 5 at Baddeley Green.
Mr Stirling, of Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent, has been remanded in custody to appear at Stafford Crown Court via live video link on Wednesday.
Ms Eastwood’s family were not present at the brief hearing this morning and in a statement released by Staffordshire Police, thanked supporters for their efforts.
They said: "The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.
"We would like to say 'thank you' to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help."
Two other men, aged 28 and 60, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.
On Sunday evening, Staffordshire Police confirmed they had charged Mr Stirling in connection with the murder of Ms Eastwood.
They said: “Detectives investigating the death of 28-year-old Samantha Eastwood have tonight (Sunday) charged a man with her murder.
“Michael Stirling, aged 32, from Cromer Road, Stoke-on-Trent will appear before North Staffordshire Magistrates Court tomorrow morning (Monday August 6).
“The body of Samantha was discovered during a police search of rural ground near to Caverswall on Saturday August 4. She had been reported missing on Friday July 27.
“A post mortem has taken place but further tests are required.”