Mum found dead after house fire as ex-husband urged to hand himself in to police
A mum has been found dead after a house fire as police appeal to her ex-husband to hand himself in.
Officers have appealed directly to Georgian Constantin to give himself up following the death of Valentina Cozma in a blaze at her home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire on Thursday.
A post-mortem provided a provisional cause of the 40-year-old's death as inhalation of products of combustion.
Her former husband, aged 42, is wanted in connection with her murder.
He is thought to have links to the Southampton area and has been sighted in London since the fire.
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Staffordshire Police are now liaising with British Transport Police and the National Crime Agency in a bid to track down Constantin, and are keeping an open mind on whether he remains in the UK or has left the country.
Officers have appealed directly to Georgian Constantin (pictured) to give himself up (Staffordshire Police / SWNS)
Constantin is thought to have links to the Southampton area and has been sighted in London since the fire (Staffordshire Police / SWNS)Members of the public who spot Constantin, who has been in the UK since 2017, are being urged to dial 999 rather than approach him.
Valentina's family have since paid tribute to her as a supportive, caring woman "who always tried to keep the family together".
In an emotional statement, Valentina's sister said: "Vali was the person I could talk to about anything.
"She offered me support whenever I needed it. She always tried to keep the family together.
"Being an older sister, she made sure we didn't lack anything, even if she didn't have a thing. She went through a lot of hard times, yet she never gave up.
Forensic officers at the scene of the house fire in Stoke-on-Trent (Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)"I am appealing for help from anyone who has details that could help in solving this case."
The policing commander for Stoke, Chief Superintendent Colin Mattinson, said "My thoughts are with Valentina's loved ones, and in particular her young son at this deeply traumatic time.
"I know the local community are in shock that someone within their community has died in such awful circumstances. We know she was a quiet woman who was well-liked among her neighbours, having lived in the area for some years.
"My plea is to anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant it may seem - to get in touch. You could hold information that is key to our investigation.
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Chief Superintendent Colin Mattinson speaks to the press outside Valentina's home (Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)"I am also appealing to Constantin himself, or anyone who may be harbouring him, to get in touch. Running away is not the answer.
"Anyone found to be assisting an offender will be dealt with robustly as this is a serious crime.
"A teenage boy has lost his mother, we need to secure justice for him, Valentina, and her wider family. Please share our appeal and contact us if you know anything at all."
Police warned the public not to approach Constantin, but instead call them immediately on 999.
Anyone with information can call 101 quoting incident 440 of 9 February, or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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