‘Little girl left without a mummy’: Heartbreaking tributes paid to tragic Sheffield mum

Maria Howarth, aged 44, was found by emergency services critically injured in house on School Lane, Greenhill, in the early hours of Sunday.

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She was taken to hospital but died the following day.

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Before her death, police charged 60-year-old David Bestwick, of Chesterfield Road, Woodseats, with attempted murder.

He has been remanded in custody and is due at Sheffield Crown Court today.

Paying tribute on Facebook, Adele Bennett-Burgess described Maria as her best friend during their years together at secondary school and said she was ‘heartbroken’ at the death,

“I just can't believe it, I'm so upset,” she added.

Natalie Hattersley said Maria was ‘such a lovely person’ and Ali Holley described her as one of her best friends and remembered her as ‘such a bubbly, happy person’.

Janet Lister added: “She will be sadly missed by her neighbours.”

Maria, who is survived by a daughter, was also a Sheffield United fan.

Rebecca Gay posted: “Devastated to hear this. Loved going to Bramall Lane with this amazing, funny lady. RIP Maria. Such fun memories of you.”

Katie Turner added: “Absolutely devastated to hear this. Lots of fun memories with this beautiful and bubbly lady.”

Paying her condolences, Becky Elsdon posted: “Things like this are always so sad to hear, but this is very close to home for us, a fellow Greenhill mum.

“Lots of love to the little girl left without her mummy. Absolutely heartbreaking. RIP Maria.”

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