Horrified husband hears wife stabbed to death in front of children over the phone

A mother was savagely stabbed to death in her own home, as her young children slept upstairs.

The attack on 37-year-old Nicola Cross happened in Hertfordshire on Monday, and has left the community shell shocked.

Neighbours say Mrs Cross first made a call to police around 10:30pm, after hearing noises outside.

Another resident reportedly phoned police around 11:30pm, after seeing someone breaking into the Crosses’ house.

According to reports, Nicola rang 38-year-old husband Danny Cross upon realising there was an intruder in her house.

Tragically it was too late to save Nicola, who was murdered, before 25-year-old suspect Marcin Porczynski allegedly took 6-year-old Stanley and 3-year-old Isabella hostage in the garden of the property.

He was later arrested and is due to appear at Hatfield Remand Court today, charged with murder and kidnapping.

Hertfordshire Police have admitted speaking to Porczynski- who has also been charged with burgling a neighbouring house- an hour before Nicola’s death and has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission to review its actions on the night.

Detective Chief Inspector Jerome Kent has confirmed there is an increased police presence in the area, adding:

‘Officers remain in the area to offer reassurance and residents are encouraged to talk to them if they have any concerns.

‘We also understand people want answers but as you can imagine this has been and remains an extremely complex investigation.’