The family of a woman who died at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel in what police believe to be a murder-suicide has released an emotional tribute.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday that Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both 29 and from London, were found dead with stab wounds on Tuesday at 10.20pm.

Police are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder.

Devante Gravesande-Smith, a young barrister from London, has described his cousin Ms Gregory as a “loving and caring person, whose smile would light up a room.” He tweeted:

“Chenise worked as a Child Care Specialist. Throughout her life she touched the hearts of those she worked with as well as her family and close friends.

“As a family we are deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Chenise’s tragic murder.

“We’re heartbroken to learn that our beloved Chenise was lured to her death at the hands of her controlling and manipulative ex-boyfriend.”

Enquiries into the circumstances around the deaths are ongoing but detectives are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder. They do not believe anyone else is involved.

Read more:

• Police treat Harrogate hotel deaths as murder-suicide
• Police confirm man and woman died at Harrogate’s Majestic
• Hotel guest’s shock after two die at Harrogate’s Majestic

Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said:

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it as a suspected murder-suicide.

“A post-mortem has taken place that has confirmed the couple died from stab wounds. We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with their families and friends and this difficult time. We have specialist officers from North Yorkshire Police, supported by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police supporting the family, and we will work with them as we investigate the circumstances leading to these tragic deaths.”

Police have confirmed that a man and a woman from London died at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel last night.

Officers discovered the bodies at 10.20pm. Detectives believe that both victims, who were in their late 30s or early 40s, knew each other.

North Yorkshire Police also confirmed it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Read more:

• Two dead at Harrogate’s Majestic hotel
• Hotel guest’s shock after two die at Harrogate’s Majestic

Detective superintendent Wayne Fox, of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:

“We were called at around 10.20pm on Tuesday May 4 by hotel staff at the Majestic hotel to a report that the bodies of a man and a woman had been located in a hotel room.

“On arrival, a man and a woman, both in their late 30s/early 40s from the London area, were pronounced dead at the scene by colleagues from the ambulance service. Their families have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

“A detailed investigation is under way looking into the circumstances of both deaths. We can confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths and would like to reassure the local community that we believe that this is an isolated incident.”

A hotel guest has also spoken of his shock. The man, who requested anonymity, told the Stray Ferret:

“There were police and ambulance all over the car park. I would say around four police cars and a couple of ambulances. Plenty of officers and first aiders were milling around the hotel as well.

“I overheard some conversations between the police that led me to think that at least one person had died here but I have no idea of the circumstances and still don’t.

“They were here from 10pm to 1am. It’s not what anyone expects, it was a bit of a shock.”

Police are currently at the hotel on the corner of Springfield Avenue and Ripon Road. No further details are currently available.

A spokesman for the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa said:

“Following an incident last night, the police were called and we are currently assisting them with their enquiries.”

North Yorkshire has recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Latest figures make grim reading for those on the frontline leading the fight against the virus.

So far, 1,006 have people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the county.

Local health leaders revealed the news at a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, today.

It also comes as the Harrogate district recorded just a further 18 coronavirus cases today. The daily figure has dropped significantly from early January.

The total number of reported coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district is now at 6,928.

As a result, the seven-day rate for the Harrogate district is now 121 while North Yorkshire’s rate as a whole is 123 per 100,000.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any coronavirus deaths today but reported one yesterday. 141 people have died after a positive test at the hospital so far.

Read more:

• Over 70s in Harrogate district urged to contact NHS for covid vaccine
• Harrogate district records 26 further coronavirus cases

Richard Webb, the corporate director for health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Today we are starting with another milestone, with the latest figures from yesterday. 1,006 people have died from coronavirus in North Yorkshire.

“We want to remember those 1,006 people and offer our condolences to their loved ones.

“While we are seeing improvements in infection rates they still remain high. The best way we can help those in the NHS is by following the hands, face, space guidance.”

Hospitals across North Yorkshire are still under more pressure now than at any point during the first wave of the pandemic.

There are 343 coronavirus patients across the county’s hospitals. 44 of those are in intensive care but there may be others on ventilators in general care.

Harrogate District Hospital currently has 61 coronavirus patients, which is a reduction of three patients from last week.

The hospital has been treating a record amount of covid patients.

David Mattinson, medical registrar on one of Harrogate District Hospital’s covid wards, tweeted recently that it had been “exceptionally busy” since Christmas and urged people to stay at home.

A further 57 people in the Harrogate district have tested positive for covid-19, according to figures released today.

It means the district’s total confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic is now 2,106.

Across Yorkshire and the Humber, 3,565 further cases were confirmed today, bringing the total for the region to 115,145 since the outbreak began.

No further deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in today’s figures from NHS England.

Read more:

• Harrogate Nightingale ‘could open with five days’ notice’
• Harrogate district’s coronavirus cases since March pass 2,000

Yesterday, the hospital reported the death of a patient who had been diagnosed with coronavirus. The death took place on Sunday, October 25.

The total number of deaths in patients with covid-19 at the hospital since the start of the pandemic stands at 85.

Regionally, 44 deaths were confirmed today in Yorkshire and the Humber, out of a total of 207 across England. The patients were aged between 36 and 101, and all except six of them – aged between 60 and 93 – had known underlying health conditions.