An eight months pregnant woman has been stabbed to death in south London, police said.
Emergency services raced to Raymead Avenue, Thornton Heath, Croydon, to reports of a stabbing at 3.30am on Saturday morning and found the 26-year-old woman in cardiac arrest.
Officers said her baby was delivered at the scene and is in a critical condition in hospital.
A 37-year-old man is currently being held after being arrested on suspicion of murder, police said.
Police have launched a murder investigation after a 26-year-old woman died from stab injuries at a residential address in #Croydon.
The victim was pregnant; her baby was delivered at the scene & is in critical condition in hospital.https://t.co/H7HiwqRv88
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 29, 2019
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said this thoughts were with the “innocent child”.
Detective Chief Inspector Mick Norman said:
“This is a horrific incident in which a young mother has lost her life and her child is critically ill.
“Our sympathies go out to her devastated family; they are being supported by specially trained officers following this awful event, and I would ask that they are left alone at this time as they come to terms with the enormity of what has happened.
“A large crime scene is in place, and is likely to be in place for some time. Residents should be aware that if they have any concerns, or information they would like to share with us, that they can speak to any of the officers there, or call our incident room on 020 8721 4005.
“Alternatively please use the anonymous methods of reporting information to the police, such as Crimestoppers, if you wish.
“At the forefront of our enquiries is understanding what exactly has lead to these tragic circumstances, and we are doing everything we can to establish the facts.”
Scotland Yard said the woman’s next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course.
Mr Khan said: “Violence against women is endemic in society and devastating murders in the home, like this one, show the scale of the problem we face.
“My prayers are with this innocent child, and with the mother it has so tragically lost. Met Police are investigating – please help if you can.”
Anyone with any information should contact police on the dedicated Incident Room number of 0208 7214005, or ring 101 quoting CAD 1358/29 Jun or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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