Tragic Discovery in Bacup
A community in Bacup has been left in shock after the body of a 36-year-old male model was discovered lying in a street in the early hours of the morning. Luke Harden, who worked professionally under the name Duke, was found after leaving the Rosemount Working Men's Club around 12.35am on Saturday, November 1.
Despite the urgent efforts of paramedics who were called to the scene, Mr Harden was pronounced dead. The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, as a post-mortem examination carried out the following day, Sunday, November 2, has not yet publicly confirmed a cause of death.
Two Individuals Appear in Court
In a significant development, two people have been charged in connection with Mr Harden's death. Natalie Chadwick, a 27-year-old mother-of-two, and Bhekisani Matabiswana, 26, who is known locally as Nick, have both been charged with murder.
Both defendants appeared at Preston Crown Court via video link on Friday, November 7. During the brief hearing, they spoke only to confirm their identities. The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, has scheduled a trial for April 2026.
Chadwick, of Hamerton Street, Bacup, and Matabiswana, of St James Street, Bacup, were both remanded into custody. They are next due to appear in court for a plea hearing on December 15.
A 'Special' and 'Beautiful' Life Remembered
In a moving tribute, the family of Luke Harden described him as a 'special' and 'beautiful' person who was deeply loved. They released a statement expressing their profound devastation, saying, '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.'
The family's statement continued, '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.'
Mr Harden had been a model with the Manchester-based Nemesis Model Agency since 2013. The agency paid its own tribute, posting on Facebook: '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.'
As the legal process begins, detectives continue their investigation into the events that led to this tragedy. Police are urging anyone with information, particularly those with doorbell or dash cam footage, or who was drinking at the Rosemount Working Men’s Club on October 31, to come forward and assist with their enquiries.
