The family of a woman stabbed to death at a £3million home near Hyde Park are “devastated” at their loss, police said on Thursday as the manhunt for her killer is stepped up.
Kamonnan Thiamphanit was discovered by officers when they forced entry to the Grade II listed property in Stanhope Place, Bayswater, at roughly 8.30am on Monday.
Friends of the 27-year-old, who holds dual Chinese and Hong Kong nationality, were concerned about her welfare.
Ms Thiamphanit, known to loved ones as Angela, died around the same time a neighbour heard two “high-pitched screams”.
A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was sharp force trauma. There has been no arrests and a murder investigation launched.
The Metropolitan Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog over initial contact with a friend who called them twice, at 7.05pm and 9.34pm, on Sunday because she hadn’t been in touch for some time.
Ms Thiamphanit was initially graded as a “medium risk” missing person prior to her body being found.
According to reports, the three-storey, five-bedroom terraced home dating back to the 1820s has a video entry system at the front door, suggesting she may have let her killer in.
It was previously rented out by the Ethiopian embassy, but a spokesman confirmed that they left four years ago.
Residents believe the Westminster house has since been converted into an Airbnb holiday let.
An elderly neighbour, who has lived on the street for over 50 years, said: “I did hear very, very high-pitched screams on Sunday evening coming from that direction.
“A series of screams. I recall two – I’m very sensitive to sound. They were very unusual. There was no other sound other than the screams, then silence after.
“I was in my room and I thought, ‘That’s very strange’. Then I recall there was a sound from the other side of my house.
“What could I do? If it had continued I would have stuck my head out.
“I’ve always been so paranoid living here, but nothing like this has ever happened before.”
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Clifton, who leads the murder investigation, vowed to “ensure whoever is responsible is held to account”.
He said: “My team continues to work tirelessly to piece together the events that led to Kamonnan's murder.
“I would like to thank local residents for their patience while we have gone about our work at the scene.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information that could assist us, no matter how insignificant you think that may be, to come forward and speak to us.
“Kamonnan’s family and friends have been devastated by this murder and we must ensure whoever is responsible is held to account.”
Since April 2, the Met has launched homicide probes into the separate killings of two other London women: 38-year-old Sarah Mayhew whose body was dumped in a Croydon park and Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, 25, discovered dead in a Vauxhall car on Whiston Road, Hackney.
