Samantha Eastwood's family pays heartbreaking tribute to midwife days after murder accused Michael Stirling appears in court

'From the age of 12, all Samantha wanted to be was a midwife'
family of Samantha Eastwood/Staffordshire Police
James Morris10 August 2018

The family of midwife Samantha Eastwood has released a heartbreaking tribute six days after her body was found.

Releasing her graduation photo from when she received her midwifery degree, the family said in a moving statement on Friday: “From the age of 12, all Samantha wanted to be was a midwife. She had to work very hard to achieve her goal.

“Samantha may no longer be here but her memory and legacy will live on.

“Thank you to everyone for their kind thoughts for our family.”

Ms Eastwood's body was found in a rural area near Caverswall, Staffordshire, on Saturday - eight days since the 28-year-old had gone missing.

Her family's appeal came a week to the day since Ms Eastwood’s sister, Gemma, made a desperate appeal for her whereabouts when she was still considered missing.

Samantha Eastwood went missing on July 27
PA

“She is my best friend and partner in crime,” she said. “Without her half of me has gone. Samantha, if you are listening please get in touch.

"We all love you and miss you very much. We just need you home where you belong.”

Samantha Eastwood's body was found on Saturday after a police search (Peter Byrne/PA)
PA

On Wednesday, Stafford Crown Court heard Ms Eastwood’s body was found in a shallow grave, wrapped in a duvet cover and with tape over her eyes and mouth.

Michael Stirling, 32, was charged with murdering the popular Royal Stoke Hospital worker.

Michael Stirling has been charged with murder (Peter Byrne/PA)
PA

Stirling, of Bucknall in Stoke-on-Trent, is the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood's ex-fiance, John Peake.

He has not yet entered a plea, and a trial has been set for February next year.

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