London violence: Names and faces of the women killed in the capital in 2022

Last year 26 women in or from London died as a result of male violence, according to the Counting Dead Women project.

The figure includes the death of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard who was kidnapped and strangled by former Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens

Everard’s death sparked a national outcry, with the Met Police releasing an updated action plan to target violence against women and girls in April 2022.

Despite these actions, according to data gathered by the Murder Map and Counting Dead Women, 25 women have been killed in the capital this year as a result of femicide.

Here are the names and some of the faces of the London women who tragically lost their lives last year.

Yasmin Chkaifi

Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, was stabbed to death by her abusive ex-partner Leon McCaskie, 41, on January 24.

The attack took place at the junction of Chippenham Road and Elgin Avenue in Maida Vale.

A driver hit McCaskie to stop him attacking Ms Chkaifi, and the killer died.

A stalking prevention order had previously been put in place against McCaskie.

Mariam Kamara

Mariam Kamara, 46, was found dead after a fire at her home in Railton Road, Brixton, at around 4.08am on January 24.

A post-mortem examination concluded she had been stabbed eight times including two fatal wounds to the neck and face and died before the fire was started.

Mariam was a community nurse who came to the UK from Sierra Leone.

Amidu Koroma, 47, was charged with murder on April 27.

Lesma Jackson

Lesma Jackson, 84, was found at her home in Enfield, north London, with a number of injuries on January 30.

She died shortly afterwards.

Gareth Jackson, 50, of Stainton Road, Enfield, has been charged with her murder.

Naomi Hunte

Naomi Hunte, 41, was found with stab wounds in her flat in Plumstead, Greenwich, on the evening of February 14.

A 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on February 18.

He was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

Susan Ioannou

Susan Ioannou, 58, was found dying at her home in Edmonton, north London, on February 21.

Enquiries are still ongoing to determine the cause of her death.

Deka Omar, 23, of no fixed address, and Philip Sherwin, 60, of South Eastern Avenue, Edmonton, were charged with her murder on February 26.

Sabita Thanwani

Sabita Thanwani, 19, was found injured at student accommodation in Arbor House, Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell, at around 5.10am on March 19.

Sabita, a British national and a student at City, University of London, was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma.

Maher Maaroufe, 22, was charged with murder on March 21.

Yasmin Begum

Yasmin Begum, 40, was found stabbed at her home in Globe Road, Bethnal Green, after police were called at around 4.06pm on March 24.

Concerns had been raised when she did not pick up her children from school.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and a postmortem gave the cause of death as multiple sharp force injuries.

Quyum Miah, 40, of High Street, Homerton, was charged with murder, burglary and fraud on March 28.

Shotera Bibi

Shotera Bibi, 80, was found stabbed at her home in Lanseer Avenue, Manor Park, Newham, after police were called at around 9.56am on April 2.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ali Subell, 33, who lived at the same address, was arrested nearby a short time later and charged with murder on April 3.

Dolet Hill

Dolet Hill, 64, was one of four family members found stabbed inside her home in Delaford Road, Bermondsey, Southwark, on April 25.

Police forced entry to the property after being called by neighbours who heard screaming at around 1.40am. The ambulance service was alerted at 2.07am.

All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Joshua Jacques, 28, of Minard Road, Lewisham, was charged with four counts of murder on April 28.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter on September 9, but the prosecution did not accept his pleas and he awaits trial for murder.

Tanysha (aka Rachquel) Ofori-Akuffo

Tanysha (aka Rachquel) Ofori-Akuffo, 45, was found stabbed at the same address.

She was the daughter of Dolet Hill and lived in Kennington.

Samantha Drummonds

Samantha Drummonds, 27, was found stabbed at the same address.

She was the daughter of Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo and lived in Forest Hill.

Joshua Jacques, 28, was charged with four counts of murder on April 28.

Ania Jedrkowiak

Ania Jedrkowiak, a 21-year-old Polish national, was found stabbed in Roberts Alley off Church Gardens, South Ealing, at around 12.10am on May 17.

Police said she was attacked as she walked home with a friend after finishing work at a restaurant in Ealing.

Ania was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dennis Akpomedaye, 29, of Blewitt Street, Newport, was charged with murder.

Unnamed 34-year-old woman

A 34-year-old woman was found stabbed at a home in Burrard Road, Canning Town, Newham, after police were called at around 6.24am on May 19.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Asim Hasan, 32, of Burrard Road, was charged with her murder.

Sakunthala Francis

Sakunthala Francis, 89, was found stabbed at her home in Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, at around 9.20pm on June 21.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Verushan Manoharan, 31, of Kingsley Road, Croydon, was charged with murder.

Zara Aleena

Zara Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate who worked at the Royal Courts of Justice, was found with serious head injuries in Cranbrook Road, Ilford, at around 2.44am on June 26.

She died in hospital later the same morning. Jordan McSweeney, 29, was arrested on June 27 and later charged with murder.

McSweeney pleaded guilty to murder and sexual assault at the Old Bailey on November 18, and was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 38 years before parole.

Hina Bashir

Hina Bashir, 21, was found dead inside a suitcase in a ditch on Folkes Lane, Upminster, Havering, at around 1am on July 17.

Hina, a Pakistani national who lived in Manor Park and was working part-time as a security guard at Queen Mary University while studying business, had been reported missing on July 14 when she did not arrive at work.

Mohammed Arslan, 26, of Natal Road, Ilford, was arrested on July 15 and charged with murder on July 18.

Kathleen John

Kathleen John, 39, died after falling from her third-floor flat in London Road, Wembley, at around 2.22am on July 19.

Leonidas Georgalla, 50, of Weald Lane, Harrow, was charged with her murder.

Shakira Spencer

Shakira Spencer, 35, was found dead at a home in Holbeck Road, Hanwell, on September 25.

Police were called at 4.38pm after concerns were raised about her welfare and officers forced entry to the address. Shakira was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shaun Pendlebury, 25, Lisa Richardson, 43, and Ashana Studholme, 37 were charged with murder on September 29.

Detectives continue to appeal for information about Shakira’s movements between September 9 and 16.

Susan Hawkey

Susan Hawkey, 71, was found dead at a house in Aylesbury Street, Neasden, Brent, on September 26.

Police were called at 11.27am after concerns were raised about her welfare.

Chelsea Grant, 27, and Xyaire Howard, 22, both of Press Road, Neasden, were charged with murder and fraud.

Hilary Round

Hilary Round, 67, was found dead in the bathroom of her home in De Vere Gardens, Ilford, Redbridge, after police were alerted at 1.29pm on October 12.

A postmortem gave the cause of death as compression of the neck.

Jamie Cook, 31, of Asthall Gardens, Ilford, was arrested on 12 October and charged with murder and fraud.

Yolanda Salanda Feliz

Yolanda Salanda Feliz, 53, was stabbed at a residence in Windmill Lane, Stratford, Newham, at around 3.35am on October 23. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second woman was also taken to hospital with stab injuries.

Police said they were looking for Miguel Angel Alvarez Florentino, 38, in connection with the murder.

Florentino, who was known to both victims, was found dead in a river near Blaker Road, Stratford, at around 7.30pm on October 28.

Caroline Adeyelu

Caroline Adeyelu, 64, was found stabbed at a home in Auriel Avenue, Dagenham, at around 9.35pm on October 30. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second woman in her 30s was taken to hospital with stab injuries.

Nicolas Aina, 28, of Auriel Avenue, was arrested after attending a police station and was charged with murder on November 1.

Keisha Christodoulou

Keisha Christodoulou, 32, was found stabbed at a flat in Tanner’s Hill, Deptford, Lewisham, after police were called at 3.39pm on November 1.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Leon Murray, 33, of Tanner’s Hill, Deptford, was charged with murder on November 3.

Maureen Gitau

Maureen Gitau, 24, was last seen leaving her home in Evelyn Street, Deptford, on December 5.

She was reported missing by her family on December 10. She has not been found.

Mark Moodie, 54 , of Nightingale Place, Woolwich who was known to Maureen, was arrested on suspicion of murder on December 30 and charged with murder on January 2.

DCI Kate Blackburn said: “Whilst we have not located Maureen’s body we have reason to believe she has come to serious harm and has likely been killed.”

Ailish Walsh

Ailish Walsh, 28, was found stabbed at a house in Rectory Road, Stoke Newington, Hackney, after police were called at 10.18pm on  December 15.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Liam Taylor, 37, of no fixed address, was charged on Sunday December 18 with her murder.

According to a GoFundMe page Ailish was an Irish mother of four who was expecting her fifth child at the time of her death.

Stephanie Hansen

Stephanie Hansen, 39, was found seriously injured at her home in Willenhall Drive, Hayes, at around 10.13am on December 31. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 29-year-old man known to Stephanie was arrested on suspicion of murder.

DCI Neil John said: “As we work to build a picture of what happened to Stephanie, we would be interested to hear from anyone who knew her, had seen or spoken to her recently and who feels they may have relevant information to assist our investigation.”

A spokersperson for the Met Police said: “Tackling all forms of violence against women is a priority for the Met. Every woman should feel safe, and we remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure that is the case.

“We are supporting the mayor of London’s refreshed strategy which champions a public health approach to ending violence against women and girls, and places a stronger emphasis on partnership working, prevention and education across a wide range of services in London.

“This includes Met support for the Mayor’s Women’s Night Safety Charter as well as other initiatives such as ‘Ask for Angela’ to help keep people safe while enjoying a night out.”

They added: “Across London, the Met has recently deployed hundreds of extra officers in town centres and high streets to reduce crime and increase confidence through greater police visibility, including for women and girls.

“We also run operations involving officers in uniform and plain clothes in order to make busy areas hostile places for offenders, including those showing predatory behaviour towards women. This tactic is designed to prevent assaults and protect anyone who is vulnerable.

“Throughout the festive period, there will be an enhanced police presence, especially in areas such as the West End.

“Anyone who feels they are being harassed or in danger should approach an officer so appropriate action can be taken, or speak with staff or security personnel in and around bars and clubs. In an emergency always call 999.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Keeping Londoners safe is my number one priority. Every woman and girl is entitled to be safe, and to feel safe – whatever the time of day and wherever they are in the capital.

“Tragically, too many women and girls are still losing their lives to male violence, but I am determined to do everything within my power to ensure that we end this epidemic.

“I have overseen more than £100m in investment to tackle violence against women and girls, which is funding programmes that are helping to save lives and continue funding for vital specialist support services for victims.

“But more needs to be done and we must not simply respond to male violence against women and girls – we must prevent it.

“That’s why my new strategy is about championing a public health approach to ending violence against women and girls to ensure it is treated with the utmost urgency – not just by the police and partners, but by Londoners across our city and our society as a whole.”