This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Metropolitan police have launched a murder investigation after the death of an 89-year-old woman in Tottenham.

Police were called to an address in Waltheof Gardens at about 10.45am on Sunday where the woman’s body was discovered. She had been assaulted and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers believe that one or more suspects gained entry to the house at some point between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Inquiries to establish a motive are under way and, while burglary has not been ruled out, officers said they were retaining an open mind. No arrests have been made.

DCI Garry Moncrieff of the Met’s specialist crime unit said: “The woman had clearly been assaulted and, as such, a murder investigation has been launched. I want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in and around Waltheof Gardens and the surrounding area on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

“In addition, somebody locally may be aware of a friend or family member who they saw with bloodstains on their clothing, or whose behaviour caused them particular concern on Saturday night or Sunday morning. If so, I need to hear from them.”

On Monday neighbours paid tribute to the woman. One described how she had lived at the terraced home with her husband, who died a few years ago.

He said she used to keep her front garden tidy and say hello to him in the street. “We were just good neighbours. They were pleasant, would give you the time of day,” he said. “You couldn’t wish for a better neighbour.

“It’s bloody awful. There was a burglary only two doors away about three weeks ago. Whether they were sussing the place out I don’t know.”

Another neighbour, John Cerisier, 72, said he had been shocked to hear of the death. “I have lived here 44 years and I have known them all that time,” he said. “They were a very quiet couple. They kept themselves to themselves. They were a very devoted couple. It’s just shocking what happened.”

Cerisier said the couple had lived in the house since the late 1940s.

Sayed Hussain, 40, who also lives close by, said: “It’s terrible, it should never have happened. I haven’t got a single word to explain my sorrow.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3149/04aug, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.