66-year-old Indian-origin grandmother stabbed to death in broad daylight in London

Anita Mukhey, a 66-year-old Indian-origin woman, has been stabbed to death in North-west London. Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for the murder.

What happened?

On May 9, Mukhey was waiting at the Burnt Oak Broadway bus stop in the Edgware area of London when the accused Jalal Debella stabbed her in the chest and neck. She died on the spot.

"Police were called at around 11:50hrs on Thursday, 9 May, to reports of a stabbing in Burnt Oak Broadway," said the Metropolitan Police in a statement.

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"Officers, London Ambulance Service (LAS) and London's Air Ambulance (HEMS) all attended the scene, where a 66-year-old woman was treated for knife wounds. Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, she died at the scene. Her family have been informed," it added.

The murder accused Jalal Debella was arrested the same day from the Colindale area of north London.

Charged with possession of an offensive weapon and the murder of Anita Mukhey, he was made to appear at the Old Bailey Court in London. At the next hearing, scheduled for August, Debelal will enter his plea of guilty or not guilty.

Anita Mukhey case: The murder motive

While it is not known what happened exactly, as per BBC, on May 9, while Mukhey was standing at the bus stop, 22-year-old Jalal Debella approached her. After the two had a brief exchange, Debella slapped and punched Mukhey before he grabbed her, shaking her "like a rag doll," before finally stabbing her.

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According to a PTI report, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found that the preliminary cause of death was found to be sharp force injuries to the front of the chest and neck.

In a statement released via the police, the Indian-origin woman's family said: "Anita Mukhey, 66 years old, was a married mother and grandmother devoted to her family, who also worked part-time in the NHS as a Medical Secretary. The family ask for privacy at this difficult time."

(With inputs from agencies)