Murdered Bethnal Green mother’s body found after she failed to pick children up from school

A murder investigation has been launched after a mother-of-two who failed to pick up her children from school was stabbed to death. 

The victim was found at her home in Bethnal Green, east London at 4.05pm yesterday. 

The alert was raised after the 40-year-old woman had failed to pick up her two sons from school on Thursday afternoon. 

A mother of two was found dead at her home in Bethnal Green, east London on Thursday afternoon after she failed to pick up her two sons from school

Scotland Yard has launched a murder investigation after the 40-year-old victim suffered stab wounds at her home

The woman had failed to collect her children from the nearby Bangabandhu Primary School, pictured, on Thursday afternoon

Teachers raise the alarm after the woman fails to collect her children from Bangabandhu Primary School in Bethnal Green in east London on Thursday afternoon

Police discovered her body inside the property in Bethnal Green. She is understood to have suffered stab wounds though a post mortem to determine the cause of death will take place tomorrow. 

The woman had dropped her children to the Bangabandhu Primary School on Thursday morning and was due to pick them up that afternoon. 

Teachers became concerned when the woman failed to collect her children and called the police who went to the woman’s home on Globe Road. 

Police discovered the woman’s body inside the property and secured the crime scene. 

Neighbours said one of the boys was in reception class while the elder son was in Year 5. 

A neighbour, 67, said: ‘I know she was supposed to pick up her children, two young boys, from the local school but did not come so they raised the alarm.

‘The two teachers came over here with the officers when they crashed through the door.

‘She has lived here for 10 years.

‘She was a nice lady and we never had any problems.

‘I know she had a partner, and an ex-partner who visited sometimes.

‘We’re in complete shock because things like that do not happen around here.’

A father of four, who has two children who are classmates with the woman’s kids, said: ‘I saw two teachers from the school knocking on the door with no answer. They were trying to get a response.

‘Later the officers, with the teachers, came to knock the door down.

‘I’ve got a deep sadness in my heart because you hear of what happened.

‘My kids, who are classmates, are very worried about their friends.

‘They’re worried about her friend about what’s happening to the boy, he must be crying, very very upset, who have lost their mother.’

Another neighbour, 44, said: ‘I did hear something in the afternoon, maybe about 2pm, I heard a male voice go “you’re not getting in, you’re not getting in”

‘I don’t know what happened, or even if it was connected.

‘I heard screaming, I heard shouting, but that’s quite normal for around here.

‘But the next thing I know that same flat was getting the door smashed through by police later that day.

‘I don’t know the people who live there. I didn’t even know what happened until I looked at the news.’

A woman, 42, said: ‘My kids are older so I don’t really talk to her but I know she lived her for a long time.

‘I heard that the school was concerned after she didn’t pick up her children.

‘As far as I know she was a very lovely woman. No one deserves for anything like this to happen.’ 

A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said ‘You just think about those little kids of hers. It’s just so sad. It’s a terrible thing. Your mum takes you to school and then you never see her again.’

Another local resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘It’s so messed up. I feel scared. It’s bad as it is a women – you’re scared for your own safety too. It’s so bizarre happening in her own home. It’s very unsettling, the kids are tiny, they’ve got no mum. Who could be so cruel.’ One woman whose children attended the same school as the victim’s children cried as she said: ‘I’m a mother. So sad, I am so sad.’ 

Scotland Yard said despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman was declared dead at the scene. 

Officers said the woman’s next of kin have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers.

The Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command are treating the death as suspicious. 

Officers have not yet made any arrests, but specialist forensics officers will be examining the crime scene over the coming days. 

Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘A dedicated team of officers is working around the clock to trace the person responsible for this and my thoughts are with this woman’s family as they come to terms with their tragic loss.

‘It is heart-breaking that yet another woman has been killed. All women and girls have the right to feel safe, at any time, day or night, in public or at home, and we will do everything we can to find those responsible for this. 

‘Tackling violence against woman is one of the Met’s top priorities. Police officers, including forensic specialists, remain at the scene. 

‘We will continue to carry out door-to-door enquiries and local people will also see additional police in the area.

‘We are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with any information, to contact us. No matter how insignificant you think your information might be, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. It could be key to this investigation.’ 

Scotland Yard has appealed for anyone with information of the crime to come forward by calling 101 citing the reference number CAD 4738/24Mar. 

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.