Yahoo News Maida Vale: First pictures of stabbed mother as attacker mowed down by car revealed to be her ex-husband
The first pictures have emerged of a mother-of-two killed in Maida Vale on Monday.
Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, was stabbed in the incident on Chippenham Road. Her attacker, Leon McCaskre, 41, was mowed down by a motorist and died.
Police were called shortly after 9am to reports of a stabbing and Ms Chkaifi was found at the scene with stab injuries.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said on Tuesday that the pair had previously been in a relationship together.
A 26-year-old man, the driver of the car, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of murder. He used his blue Renault Clio to run over the hooded knifeman on the pavement in a bid to stop the frenzied assault.
The driver was fully cooperative with the investigation and has been bailed to return to a police station on a date in late February while the evidence is evaluated.
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.”
“Please keep her in your prayers. Everyone who knew her knew she was a good person,” he said.
The MailOnline reported that Ms Chkaifi and Mr McCaskre had been married for two years, during which time she was allegedly abused by her husband.
One of her sons reportedly claimed the mature student of Moroccan descent had secured a restraining order against her ex-husband after their divorce three years ago, and installed a panic alarm in her flat because she was so frightened of him.
