'Beautiful' mum 'stabbed to death with 10cm knife' pictured for first time
A MUM allegedly stabbed to death in the street had a "heart of gold," her devastated family said today.
Maida Vale: Police cordon off scene of fatal stabbing
Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, was found with stab wounds at around 9am yesterday in Maida Vale, west London. Yasmin's suspected attacker, 41-year-old Leon McCaskre -was then hit by a Renault Clio in the aftermath, in which he also died.
Police said the pair were known to each other and had previously been in a relationship.
Paying tribute to her niece, Yasmin's aunt said: "She had a heart of gold, and was so so beautiful. I am broken hearted, she never hated anyone and had so many friends from all different backgrounds."
Emotional floral tributes have been left at the scene of the tragedy, reports My London. It happened in an affluent residential neighbourhood, a short walk from River Thames.
It is believed Yasmin, who was a mum of two, was stabbed repeatedly.
Jiyad Raad, a witness to the stabbing, said: "'It was horrific.
"He was repeatedly plunging the knife into her. It was a 10cm (4in) long kitchen knife."
She had a heart of gold, and was so so beautiful
Yasmin, from Maida Vale, was studying at university and also worked at a school.
In one of the tributes left with some flowers at the scene, one well-wisher said: "We will never forget you. You're with the angels now. You're in our thoughts and prayers."
The Met Police announced this afternoon the driver - a 26-year-old man - had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
At the same time as announcing the arrest, they praised the have-a-go-heroes who "bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack".
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: "We are gaining a clearer idea of what happened at the scene thanks to information supplied by the public and by reviewing CCTV. Firstly, it is apparent that members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack and their actions were very courageous.
"We are speaking to the families of those concerned and doing all we can to support them at this terrible time. We can now confirm that both the deceased were previously known to each other and there are no outstanding suspects.
"A man, who was the driver of a car, has been arrested and bailed for a very serious offence and we must carry out a full investigation, looking at all the circumstances. I would ask the media not to speculate on the causes of the deaths while we are awaiting the outcome of two post-mortems, it is important that we deal with facts.
"Lastly, we appreciate the support we have received from the public. A number of people have already come forward, but we are still asking for anyone who has not to make contact with us. Any information could be vital in helping us fully understand why this dreadful incident happened."