Mum-of-two stabbed in Maida Vale was 'killed with 10cm kitchen knife' and worked in a school

A mother-of-two fatally stabbed by her ex-partner, who was then run over, was "killed with a 10cm kitchen knife" and worked in a school, it has emerged.

Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, was killed by a former partner in Maida Vale, west London, on Monday.

Ms Chkaifi was pronounced dead in Chippenham Road after suffering stab wounds, while 41-year-old Leon McCaskre died after being struck by a car.

The Metropolitan Police said it had established that Ms Chkaifi and McCaskre, both from Maida Vale, were known to each other.

According to eyewitnesses, the victim was repeatedly stabbed with a "10cm-long kitchen knife" just after 9am.

The driver of the car, a 26-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been bailed to mid-February.

The force said he had been “fully co-operative” with the investigation.

Watch: Woman killed and man hit by car In horror incident

The "brokenhearted" aunt of the woman, Hafida, said the victim was a mother of two children, aged 12 and 18.

She worked in a school and lived with her husband above a GP surgery.

Hafida told MyLondon: "She had a heart of gold and was so so beautiful. I am brokenhearted, she never hated anyone and had so many friends from all different backgrounds."

A boy who said he was the woman's son told The Sun: ”Everyone who knew my mum knows she was a good woman.

"She didn’t deserve this. Keep her in your prayers.”

Another family member added: ”Everyone is still so shocked. It was my auntie. We have all lived in the area for years.”

Local residents have been left terrified after Monday's events.

A woman with two young children said: "It's really scary, this sort of thing doesn't happen around here especially with so many schools and children around."

Witnesses had described their shock as the woman was stabbed multiple times.

People desperately tried to intervene to save her, but the attacker fatally injured her.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said members of the public had "bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack and their actions were very courageous".

He said the force was "gaining a clearer idea of what happened at the scene thanks to information supplied by the public and by reviewing CCTV".

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DCI Rawlinson added: "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.”

Post-mortem examinations on the deceased were due to take place on Tuesday and Thursday.

Watch: Forensic officers at Maida Vale where woman was stabbed and knifeman was run over