Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously in this campaign, which started on 2nd May 2021, I have remembered 89 women. The last being Lisa Jane Lyttle, who was murdered by her husband Warren Lyttle at their home in Costa de la Calma, Spain – a short drive from the Majorcan holiday resort of Magaluf in January 2016.
Today we remember Leanne Collopy from Rawtenstall, Lancashire., who was killed in August 2017 by her former boyfriend, Saleem Said.
Leanne was just 25 years old and had a daughter by Saleem Said – she was just two years old. A post-mortem examination found Leanne had died from burns and multiple stab wounds.
Said was arrested in September 2017 and appeared in court in September 2018 charged with murder to which he pleaded guilty. Lancashire Police said Said and their daughter had visited Ms Collopy’s house, claiming their child had wanted to see Leanne.
Once inside, he attacked Leanne and started a fire with fuel from a petrol canister in the kitchen area. Det Ch Insp Gareth Willis said:
“Said was a cruel and evil man – he had planned the attack for weeks and had purchased items to enable him to carry it out. Leanne and her daughter suffered horrendous injuries. It is clear she tried everything possible to protect her daughter and get her to safety. I have no doubt Leanne’s brave actions that evening saved her daughter’s life.”
In addition to being given 30 years for murder, Said was also handed 10 years – to run concurrently – for arson.
Ms Collopy’s family said:
“We would “never get over” what happened. Leanne was taken from us in the most violent and shocking manner that will haunt us all for the rest of our lives. We miss her more than words can say, and her two little girls must grow up without such a wonderful role model.”
Leanne Collopy
#EveryThreeDays
