Ilford murder: Woman, 36, beaten to death in ‘incredibly distressing’ attack on Cranbrook Road

Police have launched a murder investigation after a woman, 36, was beaten to death in Ilford.

Paramedics found the woman suffering serious head injuries in Cranbrook Road, at the junction with Beehive Lane, at 2.44am on Sunday June 26.

The woman was rushed to hospital, and despite the efforts of medics and doctors she died later that morning in hospital.

A crime scene remains in place on the road, near Valentines Mansion. No arrest have been made.

Scotland Yard has called in the Specialist Crime North Command to investigate the death.

The victim was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Tube Station when she was attacked, police said.

Ch Supt Stuart Bell, who leads the Met’s East Area Borough Command Unit which polices Redbridge, said the attack would be “incredibly distressing” for women.

“Our investigation remains in the critical early stages and is now being led by homicide detectives from Specialist Crime,” he said.

“The woman had been subjected to a horrific assault and sadly passed away as a result of her injuries.

“Urgent enquiries have been under way since the very early hours of Sunday morning to identify the woman.

“At this time formal identification is yet to take place but the woman’s family have been informed and are receiving support from specially trained officers.

“Teams of dedicated officers are working at pace to establish what happened and identify the person responsible.

This includes full forensic examination of the scene and the surrounding area, house to house enquiries and a focus on identifying all available CCTV. No arrests have been made at this time.

“Local people will see a significant police presence in the area today and in the coming days.

“I understand that for women, particularly locally, this is an incredibly distressing incident, and I urge you to be alert but not alarmed.”

While Det Ch Insp Mark Rogers, leading the investigation, urged anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area between 2am and 3am on Sunday morning to get in touch with police.

He said: “It is vital that my officers speak with every possible witness and everyone with information that may assist the investigation.

“We are appealing for anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area of Ilford between 2am and 3am on Sunday morning to get in touch, including anyone who drove through the area and may have dashcam footage.

“We also want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the wider Ilford area overnight.”

Anyone with information or footage, or any witnesses, are asked to call the major incident room on 0208 345 3715.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. They will never ask your name. They cannot trace your call, your IP address or the device you use.