Man charged with double murder of mum-of-4 Katie Higton & lover ‘who had contact with cops days before deaths’
A MAN has today been charged with murdering a mum-of-four and her new boyfriend found stabbed to death at home.
Katie Higton, 27, suffered multiple injuries alongside Steven Harnett, 25, inside the property in Huddersfield on Monday morning.
Marcus Osbourne, 34, has now been charged with two counts of murder.
He is also charged with assaulting and detaining a second woman against her against her will in the home on the same night.
Osbourne is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court today.
Police confirmed both Katie and partner Steven Harnett, 25, are believed to have been knifed during the horror attack.
Katie’s former brother-in-law today told how his sibling dated the mum for seven years and was the dad of her oldest two children.
He said the children were “in the property when the incident took place”.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following prior contact with the “parties involved”.
The IOPC said: “This is due to the fact officers had contact with both victims, and a man who has since been arrested on suspicion of murder, in the days prior to this tragic incident.
“We will now assess the available information to determine what further action may be required.”
Tributes have flooded in for mental health nurse Katie, who had four children including a six-month-old baby.
Pals said she had recently starting dating her new partner, Steven Harnett, 25, who was tragically declared dead alongside Katie.
One said: “Katie had started going out with another man, going to the cinema and that sort of thing.”
Paying tribute, another friend added: “Katie was one of my best friends.
“She was a brilliant mother and great nurse carer for the mentally ill.
“I’m heartbroken for her and her four kids – the littlest boy is only six months old.”
While one pal wrote: “RIP my gorgeous!! You made me laugh when I needed to laugh and you were such amazing mum to the kids and amazing person!
“Don’t know how I’m going to carry on without seeing your kids, having a conversation with you or even our funny dances!!
Soo sorry gorgeous you were taken too soon!!
“Your kids will be looking up at you I promise!! Love you lots missy! And will miss you so much!!
“Rip to the man as well he didn’t deserve it.”
Tributes have also poured in for Steven who had a “heart of gold”.
A friend of the dad said: “RIP Steven I will always make sure your daughter knows who you are.
“You loved her with all your heart and I will always make sure she knows she is daddy’s favourite girl.”