Woman ‘raped and murdered in halfway house’ pushed man under tram in drunken row

A woman whose death sparked a rape and murder probe once murdered a stranger by pushing him under a moving tram, it has been revealed.

Charrissa Brown, 36, was rushed to hospital on Wednesday evening (February 2) following an incident inside what neighbours say is a “halfway house” in Greater Manchester.

The police, who remained on the scene on Friday, have arrested three men aged 32, 52 and 61, on suspicion of her murder and rape.

As investigations into her death continue, it has now been revealed that Ms Brown had recently been released from prison after serving a five-year manslaughter sentence.

She was handed the sentence for killing Philip Carter in June 2017.

The then 31-year-old pushed 30-year-old Mr Carter, who was a stranger to her, between two carriages of a tram at Manchester Victoria Station.

A drunken row had reportedly taken place and Mr Carter died at the scene after being crushed as the tram pulled away, the court heard.

After, Brown was heard to say: “I didn’t mean it. He got in my face. We were just play fighting.”

Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter after being brought before a judge for a pre-trial hearing in October 2017.

Judge Mr Justice William Davis, sentencing at Manchester Crown Court, told Brown that her actions were “completely unnecessary” and “aggressive”.

“There was more than one victim in this case because the effect of what you did was so dreadful,” he said.

“It is merely yet another example of you reacting violently when faced with something you did not like very much.”

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Ms Brown suffered from a personality disorder which caused “impulsive violence” and was described by senior police officers as a “ticking time bomb” before the attack.

In a statement the force said: “He (Mr Carter) suffered a brutal death all because she lost her temper.”

According to court reports at the time, Ms Brown had a lengthy criminal record of 65 offences, many of which involved violence.

It comes today as tributes are paid to Ms Brown, including her family.

Her mother Sue Brown wrote on Facebook: “RIP my beautiful daughter.”

Her friend Leigh Kelly wrote: “Rip Charrissa Brown absolutely heartbroken.

“Loads of memories with you.. one of the funniest girls I know.. one day we will have that catch up until then may u rest in peace and be given the best bed in heaven my girl xxx.”

Detective Superintendent Kate Atton, from GMP’s Bury CID, said: “I have no doubt that the community are shocked and are worried to hear the news about this incident but I would like to reassure them that we have a dedicated team of detectives investigating and following up various lines of enquiry to establish the circumstances around this lady’s death.”