Ex-cop held after hairdresser wife stabbed to death - The Sun

Natalie Esack, 33, was found dead by police after workers in nearby shops heard screams from the salon on yesterday morning.

Paramedics fought in vain to save her as staff stood sobbing outside after arriving for work to find the shop cordoned off.

Husband Ivan Esack, 38 was arrested an hour later at his home. Mortgage broker Charles Goodwin, 49, who works three doors down from Natalie's salon, said: "I heard a single loud scream. It's a real shock.

"Natalie had looked happy and smiling when she arrived for work not long before and we waved to each other as usual.

"She was a lovely woman with a really bubbly character. I don't know anyone who's got a bad word to say about her.

"She had a very successful hair salon — and you don't get success in a business like that unless people like you."

Neighbours of Esack yesterday said Natalie had recently moved out after splitting up with him more than a month ago.

One added: "I'm completely shocked, it's absolutely awful. They were such a lovely couple and always seemed really happy together.

"I wasn't aware of them having any problems. I never heard arguing."

Another neighbour said: "I met them both at a Neighbourhood Watch street party last summer.

"She was quiet but he was more outgoing and talkative. They seemed a pleasant couple.

"He told me he was an ex-policeman and wanted to be involved in politics. He said he was working for the Tory MP Damian Green."

Forensics teams took away Ivan's black Vauxhall estate car. They were still examining the salon in Ashford, Kent, last night.

They have found a knife that is believed to be the murder weapon.

Esack, a police officer for about nine years, is now a football agent.

He claims his clients include Lewis Dunk of Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha and Middlesbrough's Curtis Main. But Esack does not appear on a list of official agents.

He says on his website: "I can personally guarantee that I am a person that people can trust and confide in with confidentiality assured."

He and Natalie are co-owners of hairdressers Esack Hair and Beauty.

Its opening in 2008 was attended by celebrity model Nancy Sorrell, wife of comic Vic Reeves.

Kent police confirmed a 38-year-old man known to the victim was in custody on suspicion of murder.

b.flynn@the-sun.co.uk