Tributes were paid today to a 36-year-old found stabbed to death in a hotel room near Heathrow Airport.

Police named the victim as Hersi Hersi, who was a trans woman called Naomi.

The 36-year-old was found with knife injuries at Heathrow Palace in Haslemere Avenue, Hounslow, at 10.50am on Sunday and was pronounced dead at the scene 30 minutes later.

The victim, who lived in Mill Hill, north London, was described on social media as a “tennis lover, music junkie, film and tv addict”.

Today residents in Mill Hill today paid tribute their neighbour.

They said the victim was of Somali origin who had lived in the United States before returning to the UK.

One neighbour said: “She was fun to be around and a real character. She was into music and tennis. She was a nice person.

“We are very shocked by the whole thing. She only used to go away for one night at the most. When she disappeared for more I knew something was wrong.

“I saw her Whatsapp went offline which was unusual, she was always on her phone.”

Another neighbour said: “Naomi was a flamboyant, lovely fun person. I think she had problems in her life but was well liked. We are devastated to lose a friend and neighbour.”

The hotel where the victim was found is less than three miles from the west London airport. Rooms are available to rent for up to £75 a night.

:: Jesse McDonald, 24, of Hounslow, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with murder. He was due to appear at the Old Bailey today.

A 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with assisting an offender. She was released on bail and will appear at the Old Bailey on 17 April.