How a loving pet dog helped police uncover the horrifying and grisly murder of his owner

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Duke, a Dogue de Bordeaux, meant everything to Ashley Walsh. His girlfriend even said she sometimes thought Ashley loved the dog more than her.

To the bitter end, Duke looked out for Ashley. The pair were inseparable. And his protective nature provided police with a key breakthrough when Ashley went missing in suspicious circumstances.

At first Claire Williams wasn't too concerned about her partner's disappearance. Ashley, who liked a drink, had gone on benders in the past and returned days later. READ MORE: Multiple shops on 'counterfeit street' shut down as network of 'intimidating' spotters discovered She'd kissed him goodbye on a Friday evening, and he'd called her shortly after to say he'd arrange his own tea.

Over the weekend Claire became angry at her partner of nearly five years for not returning her messages, but she expected him to turn up eventually.