Maida Vale stabbing: Stalker who knifed ex to death in street ‘had warrant out for arrest’

A stalker who stabbed his former partner to death in the street before being run over and killed had a warrant out for his arrest, a court heard today.

Leon McCaskie, 41, brutally murdered his ex Wafah Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, before being mowed down by a car in Maida Vale, west London, the opening of an inquest into her death was told.

The driver - who many hailed as a ‘hero’ - was later arrested on suspicion of murder before being bailed while the investigation is ongoing.

McCaskie, who reportedly also used the name McCaskre, was already wanted by police for breaching a restraining order which Mrs Chkaifi had taken out against him for being abusive.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Chkaifi was opened at Westminster Coroner’s Court this morning, attended over videolink by many members of her family, including her husband Joseph Salmon and two sons.

Giving evidence, DCI Neil Rawlinson said: “Yasmin Chkaifi and Leon McCaskie had been in a relationship that ended several years ago.”

But he said there had been “allegations of domestic abuse” and a Stalking Prevention Order was issued against McCaskie.

He was later arrested and charged for breaching the order, but failed to attend his court hearing, so police issued a warrant for his arrest.

DCI Rawlinson continued: “They lived close to each other and on the morning of January 24 at around 9am he accosted her in the street and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife.

“A member of the public saw this and used his vehicle to stop the assault. Both Yasmin Chkaifi and Leon McCaskie were pronounced dead at the scene.

“We have secured CCTV footage from the scene and obtained statements from witnesses who saw what happened.”

A post mortem examination carried out by Dr Simon Poole found the preliminary cause of death to be “multiple incised stab wounds”.

Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Jane Wilcox said: “I now formally open and adjourn the inquest of Wafah Yasmin Chkaifi.

“I understand I’m joined by many members of her family today.

“I would like to express my deepest sympathy for their loss.

“This was a truly shocking death and I cannot imagine what you are going through at this time.”

The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who will be submitting a report before the inquest is resumed on July 25.