Three more people have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Alisha Samuels in Manchester, Sky News has confirmed. The additional arrests bring the total number of individuals taken into custody over the 28-year-old’s death to five, as detectives continue to piece together the circumstances of her passing in the city’s Northern Quarter.
A community in mourning
Alisha Samuels was found deceased at an address on Newton Street in Manchester city centre late on Monday evening, more than 48 hours after she was reported missing by friends. Greater Manchester Police launched a murder investigation on Tuesday after post-mortem examinations confirmed the cause of death was consistent with violence. The three newly arrested individuals, whose ages and hometowns have not been released, were detained on Wednesday morning in the north of the city and are being held at a local police station for questioning.
Search for witnesses
Detectives have appealed for information from anyone who may have seen Ms Samuels in the hours before her death, particularly those who were in the Northern Quarter between Sunday evening and Monday morning. The area, known for its independent shops and nightlife, was cordoned off for much of Tuesday as forensic teams combed the streets for evidence. A local café owner told Sky News that he last saw her speaking with two men outside a takeaway on Sunday night, though he declined to be named while the investigation is ongoing.
Why it matters
The case has drawn particular attention because of the length of time Ms Samuels spent unaccounted for before her body was discovered, raising questions about how well the city’s CCTV network and missing-person protocols communicate. For Greater Manchester Police, solving a murder in a busy urban area requires extensive community cooperation, and the five arrests so far suggest the investigation is widening rather than narrowing. The case also highlights the ongoing challenge of violence against young women in UK cities, a concern that campaigners say demands more than reactive policing.
What happens next
The three newly arrested individuals can be questioned until Thursday evening under existing detention powers, and detectives say they expect to make further arrests if necessary. A post-mortem is being repeated to establish precise cause of death, and forensic teams are still examining the scene on Newton Street. Greater Manchester Police have urged anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward, and they have promised to update Ms Samuels’ family directly as the investigation develops. A book of condolence has been opened at Manchester Town Hall, and a minute’s silence is planned for Friday afternoon.
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