Woman found not guilty of killing male model
Nathan McDowellA woman has been found not guilty of murdering a professional model found with severe head injuries in a street in Bacup.
Luke Harden, 36, died on Newchurch Road shortly after midnight on 1 November 2025.
Natalie Chadwick, 27, appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier where the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it would offer no evidence against her.
Another defendant, 26-year-old Bhekisani Matabiswana of St James Street, Bacup, remains charged with Harden's murder - which he has denied - and will stand trial in April.
Chadwick, also from Bacup, was told she was free to go after Judge Robert Altham entered a formal not guilty verdict.
Harden's family, and the Manchester-based Nemesis Model Agency, previously paid tribute to a "special" son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, boyfriend and friend.
"We wish our Luke could see the outpouring of love from everyone who knows him," his family said in a statement.
"We are comforted knowing we can shut our eyes and your beautiful face will always be smiling back at us."
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