A mother-of-two has been pictured for the first time after being charged with murdering a male model left to die in the middle of a road.
Luke Harden, 36, was found lying in a street in Bacup after leaving a social club at around 12.35am last Saturday, November 1.
Mr Harden, a model known professionally as Duke, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics to save him.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Sunday but his exact cause of death is as of yet unknown.
Natalie Chadwick, 27, is one of two people charged with Mr Harden’s murder.
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Also charged is Bhekisani Matabiswana, 26, who is known locally as Nick.
Both Chadwick and Matabiswana appeared before Preston Crown Court on Friday by video link.
The pair spoke only to confirm their identities. The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham set a date for a trial in April 2026.
Mr Harden was described by his family as ‘special’ and ‘beautiful’ in a touching tribute.
His relatives said in a statement: ‘There are no words to describe how devastated we all are. We wish our Luke could see the outpouring of love from everyone who knows him.
‘He is and will always be special to us all, as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, boyfriend and friend.
‘You will be forever in our hearts and minds, and we are comforted knowing we can shut our eyes and your beautiful face will always be smiling back at us.
‘Rest in peace, our gorgeous Luke, until we will meet again.’
Mr Harden worked for Nemesis Model Agency, a firm based in Manchester.
It said in a Facebook statement: ‘It’s with great sadness that we must announce the untimely death of one of our favourite models LUKE HARDEN.
‘Luke had been a model with Nemesis since 2013 and he was loved by everyone who met him and respected everyone who worked with him.’
Both Chadwick, of Hamerton Street, Bacup, and Matabiswana, of St James Street, Bacup, were remanded in custody and are both due in court for a plea hearing on December 15.
Detectives are continuing to piece together the events which led up to Mr Harden’s death.
Anyone with doorbell or dash cam footage, or who was drinking at the Rosemount Working Men’s Club on October 31 is urged to come forward with information.
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