Devastated father pays tribute to woman, 31, ‘randomly’ stabbed to death ‘while on phone to her gran’ near Brixton’s O2
A DEVASTATED father has paid tribute to a woman who cops say was randomly stabbed to death while “on the phone to her grandmother” as she walked near Brixton’s O2 Academy.
The victim, who was killed in broad daylight on Monday, has today been named as Johanita Dogbey, 31.
Johanita was attacked from behind by a knifeman, who cops say was not known to her, as she walked along Stockwell Park Walk, Lambeth, south London.
A heartbroken father has now paid tribute to his “beautiful” daughter.
Yao Dogbey told the MailOnline: “We have no words at this moment.
“My daughter was beautiful and kind hearted.”
Fighting back tears he added: “I’m sorry, I can’t say anything more.”
A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
Today, the Met Police applied to keep the suspect in custody for an extra 36 hours for further questioning.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Lambeth, said: “I am in regular contact with officers leading the investigation into this brutal attack and my thoughts continue to be with the woman’s family and friends as they come to terms with this awful news.
“We will do everything we can to support them at this unimaginably difficult time.
“I recognise that the community will be experiencing worry and considerable concern and we have extra officers out in the community to answer questions and provide a visible presence.
“My police neighbourhood policing teams have visited local community centres and businesses taking on board concerns and to ensure we are having the right conversations with local people at this time.
“I would also ask people to share anything that they feel might help the investigating detectives.”
Neighbours of the victim have said she was on the phone to her gran when she was tragically killed.
A mum-of-two told the Standard: “I was with her dad at the crime scene.
“He said his daughter had gone to buy a present for her mother and was on her way home.
“She was on the phone to her grandmother when she was attacked.”
The resident added the gran heard a “terrible scream” before the phone fell to the floor.
Four people, including the victim’s father, prayed at the cordon on Monday night.
Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance were called around 6.04pm on Monday afternoon.
The victim was however, sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
A Met Police spokesman said: “The woman’s family have been informed and they will be supported by specialist officers.”
Formal identification is yet to take place.
A post-mortem is due to take place today.
Any witnesses are asked to call 101 quoting CAD 4728/01May.
To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.