Liverpool business community in shock as popular entrepreneur stabbed to death

A man has been arrested following the death of a prominent Merseyside business entrepreneur and mentor.

Liz Lacey, 63, was found in her home in Hardy Street, Garston, on Thursday night last week.

Officers had been called to nearby Vesta Road at around 6pm following a report a 54-year-old woman had suffered multiple stab wounds.

She was taken to hospital where her condition was described as serious but stable. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A 21-year-old man from Allerton was arrested on suspicion of assault close to the scene.

He was taken to a police station in Merseyside to be interviewed.

Following enquiries, officers attended a further report of an assault at an address in Hardy Street at around 6.40pm where they found the body of Ms Lacey.

The 21-year-old man was further arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Rhodes said: “At present we are in the very early stages of an ongoing investigation, but we believe the two incidents are linked and that the arrested man was known to the two victims.

“Both scenes remain cordoned off for forensic examinations and officers continue to talk to residents and potential witnesses.”

Police say a Home Office post mortem has revealed that Ms Lacey died of multiple stab wounds. Her next of kin have been informed.

The 21-year-old man who was arrested has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Floral tributes have been left outside the Hardy Street address, one describing Ms Lacey as a “lovely lady”.

Cllr Nick Small, assistant Mayor of Liverpool, paid his own tribute, saying: “I’m deeply shocked and saddened by Liz Lacey’s death.

“I worked with Liz when she was at Liverpool Vision on community-based enterprise.

“She was passionate about helping people, particularly women and people from deprived communities, start their own businesses.

“She was very good at what she did and totally committed to make a difference.

“She was a lovely person with a big personality. That’s how I’ll remember Liz and her legacy.”

Friends on social media reacted with shock at the news of her death.

One tweeted: “Black Friday – feeling numb”

Another responded: “Is it true? Shocking.”

Ms Lacey was director of Liverpool Business Start-Up & Grow, which she founded in April 2014.

Her business support service focused on helping entrepreneurs gain skills, confidence, contacts, networks and the knowledge they need “for a flying start”.

She was also a business start-up manager with Liverpool Vision, the city council agency aimed at encouraging investment and entrepreneurial skills throughout the region.

Since taking up the role in July 2012, Ms Lacey had specialised in the creative business sector.

Previously, she had been director with the Liverpool Centre for Arts Development for almost four years, until April 2006.

The charity was dedicated to developing the professional capacity of artists and creatives from all disciplines.

Ms Lacey had also offered her services as “a mouse for hire”, able to write “anything from bids, funding applications, project proposals and academic reports, to frivolous articles, in-depth interviews, showbiz fluff, hotel/restaurant reviews, job applications, CVs, and speeches.”

She also mentored and tutored students from ‘A’ level to postgraduate, helping anyone with a problem concerning any kind of written material, web content, or essays and assignments.

Drawing on her artistic abilities, she devised, organised, promoted and sometimes performed in Burlesque and vintage cabaret shows.