All welcome at church for candle lighting in wake of murder

The Church of Resurrection, in Henry Wells Square, will be open from 10am to 4pm tomorrow (Saturday).

It is a chance for people from all walks of life and faiths to reflect and light a candle following the tragic death of 37 year old Nicola Cross.

Revd Austin Janes said: “When there are no words there is nothing to divide and in this situation there are no words and no answers. Just sitting together is all that we can do.

“People of any faith or none can just come. This is a multi-faith community and this has touched the whole community.”

There will also be the opportunity to write in a book of condolences.

Mum of two Nicola was discovered stabbed to death at her home in Dunlin Road, Hemel Hempstead, on Monday night by police who had been attending a call about a burglary at a neighbouring property.

Officers had also been called to the estate earlier that evening to reports of a man acting suspiciously. No-one was arrested at that time.

Nicola’s devastated family have described her as the ‘most beautiful person, inside and out’ and the ‘perfect wife and most amazing mummy’.

A post mortem examination has confirmed that she died from stab wounds and two men have been arrested in connection with her death.

Mr Janes said: “I get a lot of feeling of shock from the community, they just can’t believe what’s happened. It’s still so early days and people are feeling numb with it.

“There will be different feelings as the days go on and our hearts go out so much to the family.”

Marcin Porczynski, aged 25, of Claymore Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, has been charged with murder, two counts of kidnap relating to two children aged three and six and a burglary at a neighbouring property in Dunlin Road. He is due to appear in court this afternoon.

A 19-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle has been released on police bail until September 24.

Police say Nicola’s family are being supported by specialist officers and have reassured worried residents that this type of crime is ‘highly unusual’ in Hertfordshire.

Det Chief Inspector Jerome Kent from the major crime unit said: “We fully appreciate the events of Monday night have also significantly impacted the wider community however, I would like to reassure you that this was a tragic and isolated incident, the events of which are highly unusual within Hertfordshire.