Kent woman who 'had her throat slit in car park' named as Molly McLaren

A young woman who died after reportedly having her throat slashed in a car park in Kent has been identified as 23-year-old Molly Mclaren.

25-year-old Joshua Stimpson has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police confirmed he was ‘known to the victim’.

Molly was a student the University of Kent studying Exercise, Sport and Health Nutrition.

The horrifying attack took place in front of a group of shoppers in the car park of the Dockside shopping centre in Chatham, Kent.

The attacker is thought to have stabbed her as she was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle.

Eyewitnesses said she beeped the horn and screamed for help during the attack.

One witness told The Express: ‘The woman was screaming and bibbing the horn to get attention.

‘Another shopper blocked the car in so he couldn’t escape. Attacker was then put into police van. Didn’t appear to resist arrest.’

The fatal attack took place on Thursday at around 11 am, and is believed to be domestic-related.

Police cordoned off the area and a black car was lifted onto a truck and taken away.

Floral tributes were left at the scene this morning.

Molly had recently blogged about her struggles with mental health. She wrote: ‘One of my worst traits is constantly underestimating myself. I think I do this to try to prevent the feelings of shame and guilt if I do not achieve my near perfection expectations. I think a lot of us are guilty of exactly the same thing.

‘But does this actually limit your personal achievements, and the goals you set yourself for that matter? Not believing in yourself generates negative thoughts and emotions before you’ve even started.

‘I agree that if you do not prepare yourself for the bad that you are likely to feel disappointed if this occurs. But what if the bad rarely occurs? What if you find the positivity within yourself, you spark your motivation, inspiration and you chase the goals you have decided that you are confident in achieving.

‘I am a realist and accept that there are many horrible things that we have to deal with in life that are unavoidable, uncontrollable. But what if we took more control over the things that we have the chance to? If we put in 100%, believe we can achieve and radiate positivity. I am a firm believer that for many things, we get back what we put in.’

A police spokesman said: ‘Kent Police is investigating after the victim of a serious assault in Chatham has died.

‘Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service were called to the dockside area in Maritime Way, Chatham at 11.03am to a report of a serious assault.

‘The woman, believed to be aged in her 20s, suffered injuries consistent with a stabbing, and died at the scene. Her next of kin has now been informed.

‘A 25-year-old man from Rochester was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. The victim and suspect are believed to be known to each other.

‘Officers remain at the scene while they carry out enquiries. Members of the public are advised that much of the car park has been reopened.’