A woman who died after being assaulted in her home was today named locally as Tasneem Sheikh, 62.
She was found dead last night south London.
The widow had lived in the Balham Park Road for may years but recently lost her husband, neighbours said.
Today (tues) two police cars were parked outside but there was no cordon around the semi-detached Victorian home.
Officers and detectives spoke on the street corner outside the house.
The blinds were up on the top floor of the two-storey townhouse but curtains had been drawn in the large bay window downstairs.
Her next door neighbour said: “It’s a shock, the first I heard of it was in the press this morning.
“She was a very kind woman. She brought food round when my wife died.
“I think her husband died some years ago. She has lived here quite a while.
“We have helped her out with her garden before, clearing it out, trimming the hedges and so forth.”
Scotland Yard said: “A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Balham.
“Police were called at approximately 11.40pm on Monday, 12 November, to reports of a woman deceased at an address on Balham Park Road.
“Officers attended along with colleagues from the London Ambulance Service.
“The woman, believed to be aged 62, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is believed she had been assaulted.
“Her next-of-kin have been informed.
“A special post mortem will be scheduled in due course.
“A man, believed aged 66, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at a south London police station.
“The man and woman were known to each other.”
By Adela Whittingham
