Irene Barrett. Photo: Met Police
Lewisham police officers investigating the murder of an elderly woman, who was stabbed to death at her home near
Charlton Athletic Football stadium, have made a second arrest.
Irene Barrett (pictured, left), who was 88 and a great-grandmother, was found with multiple stab wounds and appeared to have been severely beaten during a suspected burglary at her flat in Sam Bartram Close on Saturday morning.
A 32-year-old woman was arrested today and remains in custody at a south-London police station. She is the second arrest in the case following the arrest of a 34-year-old man on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police have opened a murder investigation and set up an incident room at Lewisham Police Station. Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons has appealed to anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact the police immediately, either at the incident room at Lewisham on 0208 721 4961 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
DCI Lyons said:
“This is a violent attack resulting in the death of an elderly lady in her own home. At this early stage we believe this is a burglary which has escalated into murder. I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact the police immediately.”
Speaking today outside the scene, DCI Lyons added:
“Irene was a well liked and well known member of the community. She was an active member of the residents’ association. Her family are devastated at what has happened.
Her flat was ransacked and some of her property was stolen, including jewellery and cash. This sort of crime is very unusual. We need the public to come forward to assist us.”
A post mortem carried out at Greenwich Mortuary today gave the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.
