Eileen Barrott murder: NHS tribute to nurse as manhunt continues

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Eileen BarrottImage source, West Yorkshire Police
Image caption,

Mrs Barrott worked as a nurse at St James's Hospital in Leeds

Tributes have been paid to a nurse who was murdered at her home in Leeds as police continue to search for her husband in Scotland.

Eileen Barrott, 50, was found injured in Naburn Fold, Whinmoor, on Sunday evening but died at the scene.

West Yorkshire Police are trying to trace Mark Barrott, 54, who was last seen in Aberdeen on Sunday night.

Mrs Barrott worked at St James's Hospital in Leeds where bosses said her colleagues had been left in shock.

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "It is with great sadness that we have heard about the sudden and unexpected passing of Eileen Barrott.

"She will be sadly missed by all her friends and colleagues across the trust.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Forensic officers combed the scene in Whinmoor, Leeds

"Eileen worked as a staff nurse across a number of departments since joining the trust in 1996.

"This has been a shock to her colleagues and we're doing all we can to support them at this difficult time."

Police released images of Mr Barrott, who they would like to question over her death.

The force said he travelled by train from Leeds to Edinburgh, and then on to Aberdeen.

He was last seen on CCTV in Huntly Street in the city centre at 21.16 BST on Sunday.

Police have urged members of the public not to approach him, but to contact 999 instead.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police
Image caption,

Police are looking for Mark Barrott in connection with Mrs Barrott's death

Det Ch Insp Vanessa Rolfe said: "We are continuing to carry out extensive inquiries to locate Mark Barrott as a suspect for his wife Eileen's murder.

"We are liaising closely with our colleagues from Police Scotland who have established the most recent sighting of Mr Barrott on CCTV in Aberdeen city centre on Sunday night.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who has seen him since then or who has any information that could assist in tracing him."

She added: "Eileen's family have been left completely devastated at her death in these circumstances and we are doing everything we can to support them as we progress the investigation."

Police are also trying to trace Mr Barrott's car, a silver Toyota Avensis, registration FJ51 ZHB that is still believed to be in Leeds.

Mr Barrott left Leeds railway station by train at 13:00 BST on Sunday and arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station at 16:00.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police
Image caption,

This image of Mark Barrott in 2015 was released along with CCTV images of him at Leeds railway station on Sunday

Officers released CCTV images of him at Leeds railway station along with an image of him taken in 2015.

Neighbours of Mr and Mrs Barrott said they had lived in the terraced house in Naburn Fold for about 20 years and had two grown-up children - a son and a daughter.

One resident, who did not want to named, said Mr Barrott did not work but Mrs Barrott worked at St James's in the city.

"She was a nurse who worked like crazy through the last 18 months," they said.

"So, for this to happen is just so shocking."

A police cordon was set up around the house and at least 10 police vehicles were parked in neighbouring streets.

Forensics officers wearing protective white overalls searched the streets around the house.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police
Image caption,

Officers are also looking for Mr Barrott's car, thought to be in Leeds

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