Suspect in Elle Edwards murder named as tributes pour in for beautician shot dead on Christmas Eve

AN ALLEGED suspect for the murder of Elle Edwards has been named to Essex News and Investigations by two separate sources with links to the Liverpool underworld.

Police are hunting the suspect, who we are not naming for legal reasons, after the 26-year-old was shot dead outside a pub on Christmas Eve.

There are unconfirmed reports that a man was arrested in connection with the shootings following armed police activity in the Birkenhead area.

Merseyside Police has been approached but has yet to respond.

Ms Edwards has not been officially named, but she has been named on social media, as police have appealed for information about the gunman.

Tributes have flooded in for the beautician after she was shot in the head outside the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village, Wirral, at about 11.50pm on Saturday.

She was immediately rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital but sadly died as a result of her injuries. Colleagues paid tribute to Elle, who had worked at Nova Beauty studio in Moreton, Wirral.

It said on its Instagram page: "Absolutely lost for words. Heaven gained the most beautiful angel, we are all heartbroken, thinking of all of your family right now Elle, thank you for all of the laughs and happiness you brought into our lives, rest in paradise angel, love from your team at Nova."

Beautician Abi Coogan posted: "This doesn’t feel real, you have affected us all Elle, the biggest personality and the purest hear. Thank you for all of the laughs you brought me when I needed it the most, my heart hurts thinking of all of your family, love you forever, rest in paradise beautiful girl."

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We are continuing to appeal for witnesses following the fatal shooting of a woman in Wirral.

"Officers were called just after 11.50pm on Saturday 24 December to the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village following reports gunshots had been fired. "A 26-year-old woman was taken to Arrowe Park hospital with a serious gunshot injury to the head where she was sadly pronounced dead."

Her next of kin have been informed and her family are being supported by specially trained officers. At this stage it is not believed she was the victim of a targeted attack.

Four men were also taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.

A 28-year-old man from Beechwood, Wirral, is currently in a critical condition in hospital with a gunshot wound to the body.

In addition a 22-year-old man from Beechwood suffered injuries to his legs, a 24-year-old man from Wallasey suffered an injury to his hand and a 33 year-old man suffered an injury to his wrist. None of the injuries suffered by these men are life threatening.

A murder investigation is underway and CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries have been carried out. High visibility patrols have also been increased and we will have officers proactively carrying out stop searches disrupting anyone involved in criminality in the Wirral area.

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “No family should have to be faced with this ordeal at any time but at Christmas, which should be a time of peace and celebration, it makes is so much harder to bear.

“Our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the family at this tragic time and we are determined to find those responsible.

“The investigation is still in the early stages and we are trying to establish a motive and the circumstances surrounding this callous and cold blooded shooting.

“We believe the gunman fired shots at the front entrance to the pub. Minutes later a dark coloured car, possibly an A-Class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park. We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of that car and ask anyone who may have seen it to contact us immediately.

“We will not rest until we find the people responsible for this shooting and I would appeal to anyone who has information or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, doorbell camera or mobile phone to contact us.

“Our investigation will rely heavily on information we receive from the public and I urge members of the local community, who have any information which could help us, to get in touch so we can bring those responsible for the horrific murder of a young woman at Christmas to justice.” Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.