KILLED OVER CHRISTMAS: Face of eighth murder victim in nine days over festive season

A MURDER investigation is under way after a woman was found dead in Hillingdon on New Year’s Eve. Police were called to a house in Willenhall Drive, Hayes at 10:13pm on Saturday, December 31. Officers attended with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. They found a 39-year-old woman who had serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. While formal identification is yet to take place, officers are confident the woman is Stephanie Hansen (above) who lived at the address. Her family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A murder investigation is under way after a woman was found dead in Hillingdon on New Year’s Eve. Police were called to a house in Willenhall Drive, Hayes at 10:13hrs on Saturday, 31 December. Officers attended with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. They found a 39-year-old woman who had serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. While formal identification is yet to take place, officers are confident the woman is Stephanie Hansen who lived at the address. Her family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A special post-mortem examination is scheduled for Monday, 2 January. A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. The arrested man and Stephanie were known to each other. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “My thoughts are with Stephanie’s family. They have suffered an unimaginable loss and we will give them every support. “I know that this incident will have shocked people in the local community. While our investigation is still in its initial stages, I am confident that we are not looking for any further suspects and that there is no continuing risk to residents or the wider public. “As we work to build a picture of what happened to Stephanie, we would be interested to hear from anyone who knew her, had seen or spoken to her recently and who feels they may have relevant information to assist our investigation. “We are also appealing for anyone who lives or was driving in the immediate vicinity of Willenhall Drive in Hayes to come forward if they have CCTV or dash cams that were operating between the morning of Friday, 30 December and the morning of Saturday, 31 December.” Anyone with information can call 101, giving the reference 2143/31DEC. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

She was at least the eighth murder victim across the country since December 23.

A separate murder was launched a day earlier following a fatal stabbing in Peckham on Friday evening.

Police were called at 8:24pm on Friday (30 December) to reports of a stabbing in Peckham Rye Park and Common, close to the café off Strakers Road, in south London.

Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance. They found a 29-year-old man who had been stabbed.

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, he died at the scene shortly after 9pm.

The man's next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination took place today on Saturday, 31 December and found the cause of death to be a haemorrhage and a stab wound to the heart.

A crime scene is in place covering much of the park and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “My thoughts are with the family of the man who has been killed. We will provide them with every possible support.

“The investigation is in its early stages and as yet no arrests have been made. We are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry as we piece together what happened on Friday evening.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in or around the park, particularly in the area near the café and playground, at about 20:00hrs.

“We would also like to hear from anyone else with information about this attack. I know it can be daunting to come forward, but the insight you may be able to offer could be crucial in identifying the person or people responsible.”

Any who witnessed the incident, or who has information about what happened, is asked to call 101 with the reference 6165/30DEC.

Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Separately, a woman has been charged with murder after a man was fatally stabbed at a house in East Yorkshire.

Paul Hanson, 54, (above) was found injured at a property in Little London Road in West Cowick, near Snaith, on 28 December. He was taken to hospital, but died shortly afterwards.

Humberside Police had been called to the address at about 7:15pm after reports that a man had been stabbed.

Teresa Hanson, 53, of West Cowick, is due to appear at Hull Magistrates' Court later charged with murder.

Mr Hanson was the sixth murder victim in six days since December 23.

Read about the others here.