Michelle Hanson, 47, was found dead in her home on Brady Street, Sunderland. Police officers are currently searching for 32-year-old suspect Alexander Carr.
Neighbours said the ‘vulnerable’ and ‘lonely’ mother ‘would not harm a fly’.
The 47-year-old was found dead with injuries to her neck, likely ’caused by a bladed article’, in her flat on Brady Street, Sunderland on December 3.
Detectives identified 32-year-old University of Sunderland student Alexander Carr as a ‘key individual’ in their murder investigation but he remains at large a week after her death.
Police believe Carr, who is from Sunderland, knows that he is being searched for and is ‘actively evading arrest’.
Yesterday, Northumbria police released new footage of him, as they continue to ramp up there efforts to find him.
The footage shows Carr walking down the street on December 3, before boarding a bus and sitting down on the back seats.
Officers hope the suspect’s ‘distinctive walk’ will help people recall whether they have seen him in recent days. He dressed all in black, with a black bag and black cap on.
Mrs Hanson lived alone but shopped in the same supermarket as Carr, who has links across Tyne and Wear as well as Northumberland.
On Friday university-wide email was sent to all students and staff members urging anyone with information about Carr’s whereabouts to contact the police.