Camberwell stabbing: Family's tribute to 'joyful and beautiful' girl, 17, stabbed to death in south London

The family of a teenager who was stabbed to death spoke today of their heartbreak at losing their “joyful and beautiful” girl.

Katerina Makunova, 17, was found slumped in a block of flats in Brisbane Street, Camberwell, shortly after midday on Thursday .

Residents attempted to give her first aid as she lay by the ground-floor lift. She was then treated at the scene by paramedics, but died less than an hour later.

Today, her brother Julius Makuna paid tribute to his “loving and ambitious” sister.

He told the Standard: “She was a hardworking, confident and joyful girl. She could walk into the room and put a smile on everyone’s face.”

Ms Makunova, who lived with her brother in Forest Hill, south-east London, was visiting a friend at the flats when she was stabbed.

She was working at Aroma Hair and Beauty in Farnborough, Hampshire, commuting every day, after studying hair and beauty at college.

Her brother said she also had dreams of doing humanitarian work.

He added: “She was just a young girl who wanted to be a beautician and humanitarian. For her, wanting to be a beautician was because she wanted to make everyone feel beautiful.” Speaking on behalf of his mother Jaroslava Simoncicova, Mr Makuna, 21, added: “She was only at the ripe age of 17 when she tragically lost her life in such a horrible way. No parent should have to bury their child.”

Relatives visited the scene at Christabel Pankhurst Court on Sunday night to lay flowers and candles in Ms Makunova’s memory.

The young woman, one of six siblings, was born in Leeds to parents from the Czech Republic. The family moved to London eight years ago.

Her sister-in-law Shannon Jodie-Leigh Butcher said the whole family were “heartbroken and devastated”.

“I would like her to be remembered as a young, joyful and beautiful girl,” she added. “She was bright, confident, always smiling.

“Her family were so proud of her and supported every decision she made. We are all heartbroken and devastated that someone at the age of 17 was taken away from us in such a horrible way.

“Life will never be the same for us. We have lost a part of us that will live with us in our hearts forever.”

The stabbing is at least the 82nd homicide investigation to be launched in London so far this year.

Oluwaseyi Dada, 21, of Camberwell, was appearing at the Old Bailey today charged with manslaughter.