“YOU WERE MORE LIKE A SISTER THAN A FRIEND” — HEARTBROKEN TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR ALISHA SAMUELS, 26, AS MANCHESTER INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Friends remember a “beautiful inside and out” young woman whose life was cut short, as police appeal for information and clarify that a man initially arrested is no longer being treated as a murder suspect.

A wave of emotional tributes has been shared in memory of Alisha Samuels, 26, following her tragic death in Newton Heath, Manchester.

Alisha was found with serious injuries on Dorking Avenue at around 2 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, after police responded to reports of a disturbance. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

As detectives continue their investigation, friends and people who knew Alisha have taken to social media to remember her warmth, humour and the special place she held in their lives.

“MORE LIKE A SISTER THAN A FRIEND”

One of Alisha’s close friends, Aimee Quinn, shared a deeply personal tribute describing the pain of losing someone she spoke to every day.

She remembered Alisha as a friend who listened, made her laugh and shared plans for future holidays and adventures.

Aimee also described her as “beautiful inside and out,” expressing the heartbreak of knowing they would no longer share the everyday conversations and laughter that had meant so much to them.

Another friend recalled how special Alisha seemed from the moment they first met, remembering her as one of the kindest and funniest people they had known.

For those who loved her, the loss is not simply about a life cut short. It is about the future plans, ordinary moments and memories that will now be carried without her.

A COMMUNITY LEFT SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

The incident has left residents in the surrounding neighbourhood shocked. People reported hearing shouting and screams during the early hours, while police established cordons and carried out forensic enquiries in the area.

Greater Manchester Police initially arrested three people in connection with the investigation.

However, on October 16, police confirmed that a 25-year-old man was no longer being treated as a suspect for murder and had been released on bail pending further enquiries into other matters.

A 61-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman had also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, according to earlier police reports.

Detectives have stressed that the investigation remains active and are continuing to seek information about others believed to have been involved. No one should be presumed responsible unless established through the legal process.

POLICE URGE WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD

Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant appealed to the public not to speculate about the circumstances of Alisha’s death, warning that misinformation could cause further distress to her family and hinder the investigation.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have mobile-phone recordings, CCTV or doorbell footage from the area, to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 5464 or use the force’s Major Incident Public Portal. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alisha’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve their loss.

For her friends, the memories of her smile, kindness and laughter remain at the heart of their tributes — a reminder of the person they knew beyond the headlines.