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Murder victim Natalie James found dead in her Rushall home

A murder investigation was under way today after a mother of two was found stabbed in her Walsall home.

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A murder investigation was under way today after a mother of two was found stabbed in her Walsall home.

Natalie James, aged 23, who had two young sons, was found with serious injuries at her flat in Rushall.

Carl Truffas, who police say is known to the victim, appeared in court today charged with murdering Miss James and burglary of her home in Kings Road

The 32-year-old, of Kendall Court, Walsall Wood, was arrested shortly after Miss James' body was discovered in the early hours of Saturday.

The flats were cordoned off all weekend as officers carried out forensic searches. Bouquets of flowers were laid outside the flats by police on behalf of friends and relatives.

In a statement, Miss James' family said today: "Nobody has anything but good things to say about Natalie. She was a fantastic mother to her two boys and a wonderful daughter and sister. We miss her already and we are all totally devastated.

"We would like to be left alone at this difficult time."

Technical engineer Robert Betteley, aged 40, lives adjacent to the flats on Bickley Road. He said:"It was a shock when we found out what had actually happened.

"But we knew it must have been serious when the ambulances stopped and they didn't move for an hour and a half."

Mother-of-nine Janet Page, 53, of Barns Lane, said: "You don't expect things like that to happen around here."

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