Hollie Gazzard's ex-boyfriend Asher Maslin admits murder

The ex-boyfriend of a hairdresser stabbed to death while working at a salon has admitted murdering her.

At Bristol Crown Court Asher Maslin, 22, pleaded guilty to killing Hollie Gazzard.

He murdered the 20-year-old hairdresser while she was working at Fringe Benefits and La Bella Beauty salon in Gloucester city centre on 18 February.

The police watchdog has launched an inquiry into contact with Miss Gazzard before her death.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will examine if "any more could have been done" to prevent Miss Gazzard's death.

Asher Maslin admitted murdering Hollie Gazzard

A date for sentencing has yet to be decided but police have requested this be held at Gloucester rather than Bristol Crown Court.

Det Ch Insp Steve Bean said: "This was a spiteful and cowardly attack by a self-obsessed individual who couldn't handle rejection. But let's not focus on the offender Asher Maslin here.

"This is about Hollie Gazzard, the young woman whose life he so cruelly cut short.

"Hollie was a popular and much-loved young woman and the tragic and very public nature of her death has affected a great many people across the community.

"Special tribute must be paid to Hollie's family, who have shown immense strength, patience and dignity in incredibly challenging circumstances."

While paramedics attempted to save Miss Gazzard, police revealed that bystanders had recorded the efforts on their mobile phones.

Police appealed to those people not to upload videos to the internet saying relatives "would not like to see this footage uploaded on to social media websites".

A post-mortem examination found she died from multiple stab wounds.

Asher Maslin was arrested following the stabbing

Following her death, Miss Gazzard's family said "the brightest star" in their lives had gone out.

"She was full of life and we are very proud of her. She was at the beginning of her life and to have it taken away in this manner is very hard to bear," a family statement said.

Her family have now set up a charitable trust in her name which will sponsor the training of young hairdressers and help prevent domestic violence.