The four people who were stabbed in a house in south-east London have been officially identified by police.
Denton Burke, 58, and his partner, 64-year-old retired NHS employee Dolet Hill, were killed at their home in Delaford Road, Bermondsey, on Monday. Hill’s daughter, 45-year-old Tanisha Ofori-Akufo, also known as Rachkel, who lived in Kennington, and Ofori-Akufo’s daughter, 27-year-old Samantha Drummond, who lived in Forest Hill.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. He is being treated in hospital and is in stable condition.
The NHS’s trust in Guy and St. Thomas paid tribute to Hill, who was an active union member. Alistair Gurley, director of property and facilities, said: “We are devastated to hear of the tragic death of Dolet Hill, who has worked as an assistant host in our pharmaceutical department for more than 21 years before retiring in 2018.
“Dolet was a respected colleague who also helped improve the workplace for others as an active representative of Unison. Our thoughts are with Dolet’s family, friends and everyone who has worked with her.
DCI’s Linda Bradley, who is leading the death investigation, said it would be a “continuous investigation”. “It was a truly horrific incident and I am fully aware that the suffering for the family and the community will be enormous.”
Bradley said police were moving “as fast as possible to the scene”, but added that it would take time to uncover all the facts and provide the necessary evidence. “We are conducting a thorough and detailed investigation of the facts and we call on anyone who can help with any information to come out,” she said. “We are aware that we have family, friends and a community that everyone asks questions; we are determined to give them the answers they deserve as soon as possible. “
Neighbors expressed distrust Monday. Danny Smith, a 39-year-old householder who has lived in the area for 20 years, first heard screams at 1 a.m. Describing the victims as “such a nice family”, Smith said that although he had heard police raids from time to time, he had never heard of anything like it in the area.
“This is the worst thing that has happened here,” said Smith, who saw police officers arrive early in the morning. “It’s not the best neighborhood, but everyone knows each other.”
Another neighbor, who heard shouts Monday morning and asked not to be named, described the incident as “a very barbaric act” and said it was tragic.
Anne Birkett, 60, was awakened by police sirens and a helicopter hovering over them two hours ago. “It’s devastating – you hear all this, but you never expect it to be right on your doorstep,” said Birkett, a foster carer who lives nearby.
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