The grieving family of an ‘incredible mother’ who was found dead at luxury five-star hotel has hailed her as the ‘true example of class, integrity, and dedication’ in a heartfelt tribute today.
Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, died at the exclusive five-star Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, Surrey on April 14, where she had been staying with her ex-fiance James Cartwright.
Cartwright, 60, a wealthy estate agent, appeared at Guildford Magistrates Court today and was charged with murder and controlling and coercive behaviour in the case after having been arrested on Friday.
Ms Mickleburgh’s family have now issued a statement, saying they are ‘devastated’ by her death and feel that ‘nothing will ever fill the hole left in the lives of those who loved her’.
Her two children, whom she raised singlehandedly after the loss of their father, said there was ‘no finer example of a mum’ than Ms Mickleburgh and that they are feeling this loss in ‘every aspect of our lives’.
The ‘devastated’ family of Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, has hailed the ‘incredible mother’ as the ‘true example of class, integrity, and dedication’ in a heartfelt tribute today. Ms Mickleburgh (pictured) was found dead the exclusive five-star Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, Surrey on April 14
Company director James Cartwright has appeared in court accused of murdering his ex fiancée at a luxury hotel used by the England football and rugby teams. Above: Cartwright with former fiancée Samantha Mickleburgh
Cartwright was arrested after the body of Ms Mickleburgh, 54, was found in a £500 a night room the couple had booked for his 60th birthday earlier this month
‘We are devastated by the loss of Samantha, an incredible mother, beautiful, much cherished daughter, and friend,’ Ms Mickleburgh’s family said today in a statement shared via Surrey Police.
‘Loved by many, she was a true example of class, integrity, and dedication to those around her. Lighting up any room she entered with her vivacious personality and endearing smile.
‘No words can truly capture all her beloved qualities and nothing will ever fill the hole left in the lives of those who loved her.’
Her two children added: ‘Nothing can prepare you to face the world without your parents at a young age.
‘Our mother had been both parents to us since the loss of our father and she was doing such an amazing job at it. No finer example of a Mum could there be, we will feel the loss in every aspect of our lives.
‘We are grateful to be such a close family and for the support we continue to receive from those who knew Samantha. We as a family wish for privacy at this impossibly difficult time.’
Ms Mickleburgh’s body was found in a £500 a night room that she and Cartwright couple had booked for his 60th birthday.
Paramedics were called to the exclusive five-star Pennyhill Parkhotel, which is known to be used by England’s football and rugby teams, after Cartwright called 999 saying he had ‘found her dead’.
Prosecutor Gus Walter told the court the couple had met via a dating agency in September 2022 and they had planned to get married
Cartwright with Ms Mickleburgh, who was found dead at the exclusive five-star Pennyhill Park hotel
The wealthy estate agent appeared in court today accused of murdering his ex fiancée at the luxury hotel used by the England football and rugby teams.
Prosecutor Gus Walter told the court the couple had met via a dating agency in September 2022 and they had planned to get married.
Cartwright, of Axminster, Devon, spoke to confirm his name and age and was dressed in a quilted jacket and grey trousers. He was arrested the day after the postmortem.
He was accused of murder and controlling and coercive behaviour and remanded in custody until his next appearance on Wednesday at Guildford Crown Court.
A source at the hotel revealed that a man and a woman arrived at the hotel last Friday.
The source said at the weekend: ‘The couple had arrived on the Friday and had been booked in for the whole weekend with spa treatments as well.
‘They had been booked for a massage that morning but didn’t turn up and staff didn’t even know it might be murder as the management wanted it kept quiet.
‘Staff were told that there had been a death and nothing else so when the news broke everyone was shocked although police have been there all week but it’s been kept very quiet.
Cartwright, of Axminster, Devon, spoke to confirm his name and age and was dressed in a quilted jacket and grey trousers
A police car outside Pennyhill Park hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, after the incident
Paramedics were called to the hotel (above) before alerting police
Pennyhill Park near Bagshot includes 120 acres of parkland which were used by the England rugby team for training ahead of the Six Nations
‘The hotel prides itself on privacy and discretion and guests have still been checking and using the facilities but none of them know what happened.
‘The room where it happened is closed off and that area is out of bounds to everyone apart from the police and management.’
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Debbie Birch said: ‘Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this difficult time.
‘The investigation is in the early stages and a specialist team of officers are working around the clock to follow up enquiries.’
Pennyhill Park, which sits in 120 acres of parkland, near Bagshot, is described as ‘Surrey’s most luxurious spa and hotel retreat’ and located around two miles from Bagshot Park, where Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh lives.
