A man is to appear at The Old Bailey on Wednesday charged with the murder of a Jewish woman in north-west London on Shabbat morning.
Elize Stevens, a welfare officer at the S&P Sephardi Community, suffered “fatal knife injuries” at her home in Hendon.
Officers with London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance responded to reports of a disturbance in Great North Way but Mrs Stevens died at the scene.
Ian Levy, 54 of Lime Court, Great North Way was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he was remanded in custody.
The matter was sent to the Central Criminal Court where he was set to appear on March 6.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said both the victim and man arrested are understood to have known each other.
CEO David Arden sent a statement to the entire S&P community on Monday morning.
“It is with great shock and sorrow that we inform you of the untimely death of our dear colleague and friend Elize Stevens, whose life was taken,” he said.
“Elize was the tragic victim of a violent and horrific crime which occurred on Shabbat.
“Elize had not been working with us for long, but in the six months since she joined, we were all impressed by her friendly nature, warmth and dedication to the job of Welfare Officer, and in that short time she has accomplished a great deal. She will be greatly missed by all her colleagues who had grown to know her as she became an essential component of the S&P team.
“We wish her family a long life free from any further sorrow and grief”.
He added that Mrs Stevens’, is survived by three children and grandchildren, who will “have to cope, not only with the emotional distress of their mother’s sudden passing, but also with the financial implications of an unexpected funeral and all that such desperately sad circumstances involve”.
The S&P Community has opened an account for donations, and can be contacted via their website.
DCI Noel McHugh from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, is heading up the investigation.
By Adam Moses
