Maida Vale: Police cordon off scene of fatal stabbing

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Wafah Chkaifi, 43, was found with stab wounds at around 9am yesterday in Maida Vale, west London. A “hero” Renault Clio driver mowed down a 41-year-old man – believed to have been Waffa’s attacker – in the aftermath.

Paying tribute to her niece, Waffa’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 Waffa, 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

Wafah Chkaifi’s aunt

Waffa 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 that 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 Jim Eastwood, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This was a terrible incident that occurred in broad daylight on a busy London street. It also appears that a number of members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack.

“A man has been arrested in relation to the case; we are not aware of any links between this man and the two deceased. I can also confirm that we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection to this incident.

“A team of detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the incident and I would ask the public to avoid speculating on what may have happened while these initial enquiries take place.

“A number of people have already come forward, but we are still asking for anyone to make contact with us. Any information could be vital in helping us understand why this dreadful incident happened.”

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