The 85-year-old woman who was murdered in Romford has been named locally by neighbours.
The 85-year-old woman who was murdered in Romford has been named by police as Rosina Coleman.
Earlier today (Wednesday, May 16) police launched an investigation after an 85-year-old woman who lived alone was found dead in her Romford home with serious injuries.
Police officers were called to Ashmour Gardens just after 11.30am yesterday (Tuesday, May 15) to reports of a woman found dead in her home.
Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her next-of-kin have been informed.
There have been no arrests.
A spokesman from the Met Police said: “Although we await formal identification, we are confident that the deceased is Rosina Coleman, who was 85 and from Romford.”
Philip Morley, 65 from Hamilton Avenue said: “There’s been a couple of burglaries, some round here but nothing as serious as this.
“Most of us know each other round here. It’s relatively quiet.”
A man aged 83 who lives on Priests Avenue said that he knew Rosina.
He said: “She was a seamstress or a presser.
“She still made all her own clothes, very incredible person she used to do all my own ironing. We were very very good friends.
“I lost my wife five months ago, she lost her husband about 11 years ago.
“[Her husband] did various things for a living. He did carpentry, he was always carrying around bits of wood.
“They were a very close couple.”
Speaking about when her husband passed away, Rosina’s neighbour said: “That was terrible, she couldn’t face the world, if it hadn’t been for her children...
“I can’t think of any reason why anyone would do that to anyone.
“I can’t think of anyone who would want to harm her at all.”
Det Insp Paul Considine, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command unit, is leading the investigation.
He said: “This is a despicable incident in which the victim, an elderly lady who lived alone, had been subjected to a cowardly assault that left her with serious injuries.
“She was discovered by a handyman working at the address.
“We suspect the incident to have occurred between 07.30am and 11:30am on 15 May.
“I want to ask anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious to call police immediately; did you hear anyone in distress or notice someone in the area who may have looked out of place?
“Even a fragment of information is beneficial to our investigation. It is imperative that we find those responsible for this horrendous offence.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3734 quoting reference 2714 of 15 May.
Alternatively call 101, tweet @MetCC, or contact Crimestoppers anomously via 0800 555 111.
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