Update: Pensioner stabbed to death on Wood Green estate - tributes left at scene

by Tim Lamden and Flora Drury Wednesday, August 15, 2012
6:22 PM

Tributes have been left to the pensioner who was stabbed to death in a horrifying attack at her Wood Green flat.

The 79-year-old, known to her neighbours as “Auntie” or “Grandma”, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.23pm on Wednesday - less than an hour after paramedics and the air ambulance had been called to her flat in Morant Place, off Commerce Road.

Her body was removed from her home in the early hours of the morning, a few hours after her son is understood to have arrived at the scene.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place at 11am tomorrow (Friday) at Haringey mortuary. Formal identification is yet to be scheduled.

Flowers have already started to appear by the police tape which still cordons off her ground floor flat, paying tribute to the woman who had lived on the estate for about 30 years.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, neighbours gathered outside her home spoke of their shock and grief at the death of a woman they were all fond of.

One said: “We are all friends here. We are all shocked. That’s what we cannot understand.”

Another added: “It is a very close community. We saw her daily, we spoke to her daily.”

Police were still at the scene today, with officers in forensic overalls still working in the flat. Patrols have also been upped in the wake of the attack - although this is of little comfort for residents left reeling by yesterday’s events.

One told the Journal: “None of us can sleep because, obviously, of what’s gone on. It is just mind-numbing. It is just not something you want.”

Police arrested a 31-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of murder, who is currently being held in a north London police station, but are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Det Chf Insp Howard Groves, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a distressing incident in which an elderly lady lost her life.

“Although we have a man in custody, and there is no reason to fear for the safety of the wider community, I would ask anyone who believes they might have information relevant to this investigation to come forward as soon as possible.”

Anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident, or who has information that may assist the investigation, is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8247 7821. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.