A VIGIL is to be held in memory of a university lecturer who died after being stabbed in the neck in Colchester.

Dr Antonella Castelvedere, 52, was found by police seriously injured at a property in Wickham Road, Colchester, on June 1 and was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

A vigil is due to be held at Abbey Fields, under trees near to Circular Road, on Friday.

The event is being organised by the South Essex branch of the Women’s Equality Party and Eye of Boudica.

It will take place from 7.30pm and attendees are asked to bring a bloom as a token of remembrance.

Vinice Cowell, branch leader of Women’s Equality South Essex branch, said: “As a community we are devastated.

“We will be coming together as a community to share our collective grief for [a] life lost.

“We extend this moment of collective reflection to the whole of the Essex community and ask that you bring a bloom as a token of remembrance.”

Dr Castelvedere was a senior lecturer in English Literature and MA creative and critical course leader at the University of Suffolk.

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The university described Dr Castelvedere as “a widely respected and well-liked member of staff at the university, where she was an outstanding academic in English and critical writing”.

Ertan Ersoy, 50, of Wickham Road, has been charged with her murder and appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court last week for a preliminary hearing.

At the court, where Ersoy appeared via video link from Chelmsford Prison, the defendant was told he will be asked to submit a plea to the murder charge on August 2.

Ersoy, who only spoke to confirm his identity, was remanded in custody.

Essex Police said officers were called to a report of an injured man at an address in Wickham Road shortly after 11.45am on June 1.

Police found Ersoy with injuries and Dr Castelvedere, who was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.