Police have launched a murder investigation after discovering a woman in her home with stab injuries.
Officers visited a property at Stanhope Place, Hyde Park Estate at 8.30am on Monday April 8, after being alerted by the woman’s friends concerned for her welfare on Sunday.
After forcing entry to the home, they found the woman dead with several stab wounds.
No arrests have been made, and police are working to establish the woman’s next of kin. A post-mortem examination is to be held in due course.
Detector Chief Inspector Adam Clifton, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘I understand this news will be concerning, and that local women especially may be worried.
‘Our enquiries are in the very early stages and we are keeping an open mind as to the motive, however I can assure people that my team are working 24/7 to establish what happened to the woman, and to identify and arrest whoever may be responsible for this attack.
‘My officers now need support and information from the public. I want to ask local people to check doorbell cameras, and for drivers in the area to think about whether they’ve seen anything unusual that might have been captured on dash cam.
‘Did you notice any unusual activity at the address? If you did then it is imperative that we hear from you.’
Chief Inspector Louise Puddefoot, the policing lead for Westminster, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the woman and her family.
‘My officers will do everything we can to support the investigation and they will be stationed in the area to speak to anyone who has any information or concerns they want to share with us.’
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and quote reference CAD 6784/7 Apr, or contact Crimestoppers to remain anonymous.