Nurse who battled to help victim still sought

The nurse who battled to save a young Sandwell mother after she was stabbed to death in broad daylight is still being sought by detectives investigating the murder, almost two months on.

Kerry Louise Smith, aged 29, of Hanover Road, Rowley Regis, died on July 31 after she was attacked in Blackheath High Street, leaving the community in shock.

The mother, who has an 18-month-old child, suffered sustained stab wounds after leaving a nearby shop at around 11.40am. She was rushed to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A passer-by, who gave her name as Carol, stopped to help after the stabbing. She told shocked people at the scene that she was a nurse, and is described as a white woman, in her early 50s, 5ft 5in tall, and with red or blonde hair.

Police investigating Miss Smith's death are yet to trace the woman and are keen for her come forward and speak to officers as part of the inquiry.

The victim's former partner David Richard Palmer, aged 39, of Mincing Lane in Blackheath, is due to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 2, accused of murder.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has confirmed that it will not need to be involved in the investigation at this stage, after it was referred to them by the West Midlands force.

The force had referred the case to the IPCC for an impartial review of all the circumstances as the victim and accused were both known to officers.

A tribute group on the social networking website Facebook was flooded with thousands of messages following the tragedy.

Police officers set up a cordon near the Malt Shovel pub in High Street, close to where the attack happened, as well as at a house on Mincing Lane, and carried out door-to-door inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Major Investigation and Review Team on 0345 113 5000.