The family of a stabbed mum at the centre of a double-murder investigation have paid tribute to their “lovely, beautiful girl”.

Natasha Sadler, 40 and partner Simon Gorecki, 47, died last month following an incident on a Canterbury housing estate.

Foster Christian, 53 – who lived at the same address as Mr Gorecki – has been charged with their murder.

Today, in a statement released four weeks after the tragedy, Ms Sadler’s sisters Jodie and Sheryl and her brother Steven have spoken of their “heartbreak and disbelief”.

“We feel unbelievable pain. Natasha was a free spirit and we admired that about her,” they said.

“She lived her life regardless of what anyone said.

“She had an all or nothing attitude; she was funny and her personality was infectious.

“Laughing and messing about, she had a real passion for music and her religion was drum and bass.”

The family added that Natasha was loyal to her many friends.

“A strong independent lady, she will be greatly missed and loved forever," they said.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance in Dickens Avenue, Canterbury, on the evening of March 29.

Ms Sadler and Mr Gorecki – a well-known fishmonger in the city – were pronounced dead at the scene.

Both had suffered fatal stab wounds.

Ms Sadler’s 20-year-old son Connaugh suffered minor injuries while a 16-year-old boy was also seriously wounded.

In the family’s statement, Ms Sadler’s mum June says: “My daughter was full of life and was always laughing. She was a lovely, beautiful girl and life will never be the same.

"She lived for her three boys whom she loved dearly and was so proud of and who are devastated at the loss of their mother.”

Christian was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of murder and two of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He is likely to stand trial later this year.

Naomi Toro, 35, of Keyworth Mews, Canterbury and Samantha Groombridge, 18, of Athelstan Road, Thanington, have been charged with assisting an offender in connection with the incident.

Toro is due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court today.