Murder probe launched after horsewoman's body found in the cinders of burned down stables

By LIZ HULL, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT and ANDREW CHAMBERLAIN Published: 17:33, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 17:38, 8 July 2026 A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a ‘kind and beautiful’ mother was found following a fire at a farm stables. Police and fire crews discovered the remains of Laura Foulis, 38, after being called to a blaze at the rural property on the outskirts of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Friday lunchtime. The mother-of-three, originally from the Isle of Man, was a keen horsewoman and regularly posted pictures and videos of herself and her children riding in the countryside on social media. In a post on Facebook, David Jacobs, 43, her former partner, with whom she has a 16-year-old son, said they were both ‘devastated’ by the news. ‘Words are lost on me at the moment,’ he said. ‘All I can say is Laura we love you and will miss you so much.’ In other tributes online friends described Ms Foulis as having a ‘big heart’ and thanked her for helping inspire their ‘passion for horses.’ Leah Sykes wrote: ‘Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself, for pushing me to be better and helping me fall in love with horses all over again. ‘You’re one of a kind and such a kind soul that will be missed by so many.’ Laura Foulis' body was discovered by fire crews who were called to a blaze at stables at Higher Tunshill Farm, near Rochdale, on Friday Ms Foulis pictured with one of her horses. A man was arrested on suspicion of her murder and has since been bailed pending further enquiries Police fornsic experts spent several days at the site of the burnt out stables Another friend, Jack McManus added: ‘RIP Laura, a hole in my heart has been made.  'I will cherish our times together and the memories…will miss you and love you forever and a day.’ Firefighters were called to the blaze at the stables, at Higher Tunshill Farm, off Tunshill Lane, Milnrow, at around 12.30pm on Friday. Witnesses reported seeing large flames and black smoke billowing across the surrounding area, before it was extinguished by emergency crews.  The site remained cordoned off for several days while forensic investigators examined the scene.  A spokesman for Rochdale Coroners' Court confirmed a referral had been made in relation to Ms Foulis’ death and an inquest would open at a later date.  Greater Manchester Police said a man in his 40s, arrested on suspicion of murder, had been bailed and investigations into the incident were ongoing.  It is thought that the derelict stables may have been under renovation. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.