Crystal Ski agent Sarah Williams has been charged, along with another woman, of the murder of a 60-year-old business woman at her home.
Williams, 34, from Blacon, Chester, (pictured here), works at the Crystal Ski shop at Chill Factore, an indoor ski centre in Manchester.
She appeared before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with the murder of Sadie Hartley, who was found dead at her home in Helmshore last Friday.
A post mortem examination showed Ms Hartley had died from multiple stab wounds.
According to reports, Williams arrived in court with a white cardigan covering her face and head and only spoke to confirm her name, address and date of birth.
A second woman, Katrina Walsh, 55, from Chester, appeared before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court earlier today, also charged with murder.
Both have been remanded in custody and are due to appear again at Preston crown court tomorrow (Friday).
Lancashire police launched an investigation after the body of Ms Hartley, the director of her own medical communications business, was found at her home on Friday evening.
She was last seen alive on Thursday at a conference in Manchester.
Lancashire police issued a statement from the victim’s partner Ian Johnston, saying it was ‘an utter tragedy that she has been taken so unnecessarily from us and will be sadly missed by all those who knew her’.
"Sadie was a wonderful mother, sister, partner and friend," he said.
"We are all utterly distraught following her senseless brutal murder."
Mr Johnston works for International Camp Suisse, a summer school in the Swiss Alps.
