Model Gracie Spinks, 23, died after being slashed across the neck as she tended to her horse 'by stalker who was later found dead in nearby field', inquest hears
- Gracie Spinks, 23, suffered the fatal stab wound in Duckmanton, Derbyshire
- Opening of inquest into her death heard she died as result of wound to her neck
- Two hours later the body of Michael Sellers was found a short distance away
A young equestrian who was found dead on a farm in Derbyshire last week died from a stab wound to the neck, an inquest opening heard.
Part-time model Gracie Spinks, 23, had been to visit her horse at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, when she suffered fatal injuries on June 18.
Friends claim she had been stalked by former colleague, Michael Sellers, who was also found dead in a nearby field later the same morning.
Part-time model Gracie Spinks, 23, had been to visit her horse at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, when she suffered fatal injuries on June 18
Chesterfield Coroner's Court heard Miss Spinks was last seen alive by her mother, Alison Heaton, on the morning of her death.
When two people found her lying on the ground in a pool of blood, it was initially thought she had been kicked by her horse, Paddy.
One witness tried CPR before paramedics arrived and it was determined that her injuries were the result of a serious assault with a weapon.
She was pronounced dead at 8.50am.
A post-mortem examination found that the cause of death was a stab wound to the neck which cut Miss Spinks's spine and a major artery.
There was no evidence of sexual assault, the inquest opening heard.
Friends claim she had been stalked by former colleague, Michael Sellers (pictured), who was also found dead in a nearby field later the same morning
Six weeks ago a walker found a backpack filled with a cache of weapons on a farmer's track just 100 yards away from where Miss Spinks was killed - it also had a note reading 'don't lie'
A man was seen running from the scene and Mr Sellers, 35, from Sheffield, was found dead in a field off Tom Lane, Duckmanton, at around 11am the same day.
Meanwhile, it emerged that a 'murder bag' containing knives and an axe allegedly used in the attack was found stashed in a lane around 100 yards from where Miss Spinks was killed.
Anna White, who found the bag, wrote online that she had handed it to police only to be told it would not be forensically examined. Derbyshire Police refused to comment.
Mrs White posted a picture of the contents of the rucksack she found in early May - including an axe, hammer, two large knives, a flick-knife, Viagra and a sinister note which read: 'Don't lie!'
She wrote: 'I found a backpack six weeks ago... the contents of which were extremely disturbing. I contacted the police and handed the bag to them. They basically said they wouldn't be investigating further despite the obvious fact that DNA would have been recoverable.'
She added: 'If this is in any way linked to this incident then the police have some major questions to answer.'
Assistant coroner Matthew Kewley warned against rumour and speculation about the circumstances surrounding Miss Spinks's death, saying that this could hinder the investigation.
Miss Spinks, who lived in Old Whittington, worked as a warehouse operative but had previously been a swimming instructor and lifeguard at Queen's Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield.
The inquest was adjourned while Derbyshire Police continue their enquiries into the two deaths.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with Miss Spinks earlier this year.
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