Body of 35-year-old Shakira Spencer found on Holbeck Road
Shakira Spencer. Picture: Met Police
Five arrests have been made after the body of a 35-year-old woman was found at a house in West Ealing.
While she has yet to be formally identified, police are confident that the victim is Shakira Spencer.
They were called to her home on Holbeck Road at 4.38pm on Sunday 25 September after concerns were raised about her welfare. She had not been seen by her friends and family for over two weeks. Officers forced entry and pronounced Shakira dead at the scene.
A murder investigation was launched by homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
The day after the discovery, three people were arrested on suspicion of murder, a 25-year-old man and two women aged 37 and 43. All three remain in custody.
Two more people, a man aged 40 and a woman aged 78, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender; both have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation which has been named Operation Weftable, said, “While we await the outcome of a post-mortem examination to confirm how Shakira died, all the information available points to the fact she has come to harm. I need to know why people would want to harm Shakira.
“I am appealing for any information about Shakira specifically in the period between Friday, 9 September and Friday, 16 September. Did you see her out and about? Did you have contact with her in any way? If so, did she speak about any concerns she had? I would urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, to get in touch with my team.
“I also want to hear from anyone who knew Shakira in any capacity. We need to build a comprehensive picture of Shakira’s life so we can begin to understand who might have wanted to harm her.
“This is a fast-moving investigation and arrests have been made but it is vital we gather as much relevant evidence as possible.
“Specially trained officers are supporting Shakira’s family at this devastating time but they need answers and I would implore anyone who can assist to get in contact with police. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking directly to us, then you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers – 100% anonymously – with what you know.”
Detective Superintendent Sharon Brookes of the West Area Command Unit, which covers Ealing, said, “I understand the alarm and concern this news will cause the local community in Hanwell where Shakira lived, and throughout the wider Ealing borough.
“A team of experienced detectives are now working diligently to ensure those responsible for this crime are identified and held to account.
“Local residents will see increased police activity around Holbeck Road – please don’t be alarmed as this forms part of our response to such a serious incident. Officers from Ealing will also be in the area to provide reassurance and answer any questions residents may have; I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to them or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.
“If you have information that could assist the investigation then please get in contact with police immediately.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote ref 59/26SEP. You can also provide footage and images here.
If you have information, but don’t want to talk directly to police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers.org
Value Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |
September 29, 2022->->
