Valentina Cozma
(Picture: Staffordshire Police)Police have arrested the ex-husband of a woman found dead in a house fire after a nationwide manhunt.
Staffordshire Police announced they had arrested Georgian Constantin, 42, in London on suspicion of murder following the death of his former wife Valentina Cozma in a blaze at her home in Stoke-on-Trent, last Thursday.
It came after her family paid tribute to the mother-of-one teenage son as a supportive, caring woman “who always tried to keep the family together”.
A post-mortem provided a provisional cause of the 40-year-old’s death as inhalation of products of combustion.
In an emotional tribute, 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.
“I am appealing for help from anyone who has details that could help in solving this case.”
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Adrian Webb, from the force’s Major and Organised Crime department, is appealing for anyone with information to come forward and help with the investigation.
He said: “We are grateful for the community’s support during this investigation. Enquiries into Valentina’s tragic death continue and we remain keen to speak to witnesses who may have relevant information or material which could support the investigation, such as CCTV or dash cam footage.
“My thoughts remain with Valentina’s loved ones, in particular her young son, at this deeply traumatic time.”
