THREE women remain in custody after the death of 49-year-old grandmother Alison Connolly, who was fatally stabbed in Park South on Tuesday afternoon.

A post mortem examination is still under way, and an inquest into Alison’s tragic death has not yet been opened.

Detectives have launched a murder investigation, with a major incident room set up in Gablecross Police Station. Evelyn House has remained under police cordon for the last three days as forensics teams and investigators scour the area.

Residents of the sheltered housing block have been put up in hotels while officers complete their work.

The three women being held, two aged 19, and a 23-year-old, all from Swindon, have now been in custody for more than 72 hours as officers continue to gather evidence.

Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the attack, which took place at Evelyn House at around 3.45pm on Tuesday, and the community has been lighting candles in memory of the mother-of-eight at nearby St John’s Church.

Alison suffered at least a single stab wound during the incident and, despite the best efforts of paramedics, she later died at Great Western Hospital.

Police are continuing to appeal for information after the assault, which happened in the middle of the day near Cavendish Square, which would have been busy with people.

Detective Inspector Tim Corner, of the Major Crimes Team, said: “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Royston Road, Evelyn House, or Cavendish Square, between the hours of noon and 5pm, to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“People often do not realise how much the little snippets of information fit in to the set of circumstances that lead to a death. That is what is crucial to an investigation. It is really important people come forward and talk to us, even if they don’t think it’s particularly important.”

Anyone with information should contact Wiltshire Police on non-emergency number 101, or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where details can be left anonymously.