Woman who died after attack in Plymouth named

Tributes have been paid to a woman, who died following a serious assault in Plymouth.

Claire Butler was pronounced dead in the early hours of Thursday having been taken to hospital after she was found injured on West Hoe Road, just before 21:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Her family paid tribute, describing her as an "energetic and beautiful soul, someone who cared for everyone".

Devon and Cornwall Police arrested Paul Antony Butler, 53, on suspicion of murder on Thursday.

A large police cordon was set up in the area and extensive searches were carried out on Thursday with dozens of officers involved.

On Friday, the cordon was lifted and officers were deployed to Marsh Mills, which the force confirmed was "part of ongoing inquiries into the Plymouth murder investigation".

Ms Butler was in her forties and a lecturer at the University of Plymouth.

Hundreds of comments have flooded social media from her students, both past and present.