Detectives have arrested two people after a pensioner was found dead at her south London home after a suspected burglary.
Nelly Akomah, 76, was discovered with fatal injuries after police were scrambled by neighbours on Wednesday.
A man aged 28 and a woman, 31, are in custody after police swooped and arrested them at Stansted Airport in the early hours of Friday morning on suspicion of murder.
The churchgoing pensioner was described by her neighbours in Ladbrook Road, Croydon, as “the loveliest lady, always smart and smiling.”
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with Nelly’s family and friends. Nelly was active in her church and her loss will be keenly felt by many people.
“The arrests mark substantial progress in what is a fast-moving investigation. I don’t underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident. At this stage we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nelly’s address. I must stress the investigation in its very early stages and we are working to establish exactly what happened.”
A neighbour, aged 62, told the Standard: “She was found at the bottom of stairs we are told. The belief is that it was an intruder maybe there to steal her stuff and she interrupted them.
“We are heartbroken she was our neighbour for 20 years. A lovely churchgoing woman. She was always very well dressed. She was not doddery, she was very strong and always out doing her own shopping, she certainly wouldn’t have just fallen down the stairs. Just a smart, smiley, lady.”
Dame Susan Solanke, Lay president of Ms Akomah’s Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, said in a statement her death was a “big blow” to the mission.
Paying tribute, she added: “Sister Nelly, only last week we were all at a weekend retreat, full of life.“You were such a valuable member of the mission who will be sorely missed. My heart is broken with this cruel, mindless and senseless attack. I pray God brings the culprits to book as soon as possible.”
Ayodeji Okegbile, a fellow member of Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, paid tribute to the pensioner asking followers to keep the police investigation in their prayers.
He said: “Nigeria Methodist Mission UK and Ireland are very sorry to announce the loss of our long-standing leader and beloved mother, Mrs Nelly Akomah who passed away yesterday after an overnight attack in her residence in London.
“She will always be dearly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with her loving children, grandchildren, family, Tooting Methodist Church, Nigerian Fellowship, and close friends.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
