Barnet stabbings: Man released following deaths of mother and son

A man arrested in relation to the deaths of a mother and son in Barnet has been released with no further action.

The Met Police have confirmed a 37-year-old man, who was detained in connection with the tragedy, has since been let go.

No one else is being sought in connection with the deaths.

The woman has since been named as Yi Chen, 37, and her son as Xing Duan Yuan, aged five, who are both of Chinese origin.

Police were called by the ambulance service at 1.37pm on Tuesday, June 21, to a residential street in Brookside South, Barnet.

Officers, paramedics and the London Air Ambulance rushed to the scene to find Yi Chen and her son both suffering stab wounds.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed.

A post-mortem examination of Yi Chen’s body was completed yesterday (Thursday, June 23) and gave her cause of death as stab wounds.

While a post-mortem examination of Xing Duan Yuan’s body will take place next week.

DCI Claire Hine, from the Met Police, said: “The post-mortem examination on Yi Chen has provided important new information as to the nature of her injuries.

“Following the post-mortem examination, the 37-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with the deaths has been released without further action.

“Nobody else is sought in connection with the two deaths.”

She added: “This incident has had a devastating effect on the family of Yi and Duan.

“We have specially trained officers who are providing support to them where we can.

“I am also well aware of the significant impact this tragedy has had on local people and particularly children.

“Colleagues from the Met are continuing to work alongside my officers and with partner organisations to provide the community with the reassurance and help that they need.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC with the reference 3590/21JUN. Alternatively, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.