Maida Vale stabbing: Police name woman and man killed during attack and confirm relationship

A woman and a man killed in a horror stabbing and car smash in Maida Vale have been named by police.

Officers rushed to the junction of Chippenham Road and Elgin Avenue in north Paddington yesterday where a woman had been knifed to death and a man killed after being hit by a car.

Both died at the scene on Monday, January 24, despite passersby “bravely” intervening to try and help.

Met detectives have now released their names and confirmed they knew one another - and had previously had a relationship.

The woman has been named as Yasmin Chkaifi, who was 43 and from Maida Vale.

While the man has been named as Leon McCaskre, aged 41 and also from Maida Vale.

Members of Ms Chkaifi’s family said the pair were previously married, and she had got a restraining order against McCaskre.

Police were called just after 9am to reports of a stabbing on Chippenham Road.

Met officers, paramedics and firefighters attended the scene, where Ms Chkaifi was found with stab injuries and McCaskre had been hit by a car.

Witnesses said McCaskre stabbed Ms Chkaifi around 10 times, while people tried to stop him.

Eventually a man in a blue Renault rammed McCaskre with his car to stop him attacking Ms Chkaifi and others, onlookers said.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene and their families have been informed.

Specialist family liaison officers are supporting them while post-mortem examinations are taking place on Tuesday, January 25 and Thursday, January 27.

A Met spokesperson said: “Enquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances, but we can confirm the two deceased were known to each other and had previously been in a relationship.”

A 26-year-old man, the driver of the car, remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was fully cooperative with the investigation and has been bailed to return to a police station on a date in late February while the evidence is evaluated.

Det Ch Insp Neil Rawlinson, from the Met, said: “We are gaining a clearer idea of what happened at the scene thanks to information supplied by the public and by reviewing CCTV.

“Firstly, it is apparent that members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack and their actions were very courageous.

“We are speaking to the families of those concerned and doing all we can to support them at this terrible time.

“We can now confirm that both the deceased were previously known to each other and there are no outstanding suspects.

"A man, who was the driver of a car, has been arrested and bailed for a very serious offence and we must carry out a full investigation, looking at all the circumstances.

“I would ask the media not to speculate on the causes of the deaths while we are awaiting the outcome of two post-mortems, it is important that we deal with facts.

“Lastly, we appreciate the support we have received from the public.

“A number of people have already come forward, but we are still asking for anyone who has not to make contact with us.

“Any information could be vital in helping us fully understand why this dreadful incident happened.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote reference CAD 1496/24JAN.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.