Leeds teacher Ann Maguire died of ‘multiple stab wounds’

The British schoolteacher who was murdered in front of her pupils died of multiple stab wounds, a postmortem has confirmed.

Ann Maguire (61) was killed in her classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic college in the Halton Moor area of Leeds yesterday morning.

Described today as an “amazing, inspirational teacher” who was an “asset to the city”, she had worked at the school for 40 years and was due to retire at the end of the summer term, the chair of governors said.

A 15-year-old boy from the school was arrested after being restrained by teachers and remains in custody. He was to be questioned by detectives today, West Yorkshire police said.

'Too traumatised'
The boy was too "traumatised" to be formally interviewed yesterday in the aftermath of the attack, a police source said.

At a special service held in the church next to the school today, priests offered prayers not just for Maguire’s family but also that of her attacker.

Police confirmed today that Corpus Christi had a dedicated “safer schools” officer stationed in the school but that she was elsewhere when the attack took place.

At a press conference outside the school today, DS Simon Beldon of West Yorkshire police said the teenage suspect would be questioned “at some point during today”.

He added: “The pupils who witnessed this incident are still being interviewed by specialist officers who are very experienced in dealing with child witnesses.”

Asked if he was any clearer on what motivated the attack, Beldon said: “It’s very early days in what we are trying to achieve, so I really don’t want to speculate on that.”

Police have confirmed Ms Maguire was stabbed in front of terrified pupils, who raised the alarm.

Educational psychologists were on hand to help those affected, said Nigel Richardson, Leeds city council's director of children's services.
– ( Guardian service)