Natalie Chadwick has been charged alongside Bhekisani Matabiswana over the death of Luke Harden
Ashlie Blakey Live and breaking news reporter, Rachel Smith Court reporter and Cheryl Mullin
13:57, 08 Nov 2025
Natalie Chadwick, 27, has been charged with murder(Image: Lancs Live)
A young mum who is jointly accused of the murder Luke Harden has been pictured for the first time. Natalie Chadwick, 27, has been charged with the murder of Luke, who was found dying in the street.
Known to his friends as Duke, Luke was a male model. He was found by police lying on the pavement after leaving a social club in Bacup at around 12.35am on Saturday, November 1.
Despite paramedics’ best efforts, Mr Harden was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Chadwick, a mum of two, has been charged alongside Bhekisani Matabiswana, 26, who is known locally as Nick.
The two appeared by video link at Preston Crown Court yesterday, Friday November 7.
The pair spoke only to confirm their identities. The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, set a trial date for April 2026.
Luke Harden’s family has paid a moving tribute to him(Image: Lancashire Police )
Following Mr Harden’s death, his family described him as ‘special’ and ‘beautiful’ in a touching tribute.
They said: “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.”
Nemesis Model Agency, based in Manchester, posted its own tribute to Mr Harden on its Facebook page.
The statement read: “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.”
Chadwick, of Hamerton Street, Bacup, and Matabiswana, of St James Street, Bacup, were remanded in custody until they next appear 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 and are asking for anyone with doorbell or dash cam footage, or who was drinking at the Rosemount Working Men’s Club on October 31 to contact them.