Pictured: Grandmother, 66, stabbed to dying close to bus cease

A grandmother who was stabbed to death on a busy London street near a bus stop after battling a thief for her handbag has been named and pictured for the first time.

Anita Mukhey, 66, passed away after being stabbed in Burnt Oak Broadway, near the junction of Limesdale Gardens, in Edgware at 11.50am on Thursday.

Horrified locals described seeing ‘a lot of blood’ after the woman was allegedly attacked for trying to resist being robbed. The first paramedic arrived within two minutes, but the victim was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 

A man aged 22 was remanded in custody after appearing in court in connection with the killing. A memorial service will now be held on Sunday at a religious centre in nearby Cricklewood. 

An invitation to the service told of the community’s ‘deep regret’ at Mrs Mukhey’s passing and revealed that she left behind a husband, Hari, daughter, Laila, son, Dev, and two grandkids.

Anita Mukhey (pictured), who is aged in her 60s, passed away after being stabbed in Burnt Oak Broadway, near the junction of Limesdale Gardens, in Edgware

Police and Forensics at the murder crime scene in Burnt Oak Broadway on Thursday

A family friend told The Mirror: ‘A 66-year-old grandma who looked after her grandchildren and helped her children to now die? It’s an absolute tragedy. We’re turning into a lawless society, it’s as if there’s no value for life in this society.

‘It’s too close. An 66-year-old woman, it’s unfathomable. We were all very upset when we heard. Anita was a good neighbour, we would see each other and talk in the street. 

‘She’s lovely, I feel sorry for the family as they’re gonna be left for that trauma forever. Her children are grown up and she’s brought them up brilliantly, they have excellent careers. They are such lovely children and a peaceful family, they never said a bad word to anybody.’ 

Jess Bloom, 24, who was working at the hair salon opposite, told MailOnline that the woman was attacked after she tried to resist being robbed. 

She said: ‘It happened at the bus stop and the woman ended up in the middle of the road.

‘The guy was trying to get her handbag but she said no and fought back. I saw her pull the handbag twice. He pulled her into the road and stabbed her three times.

‘He let go of her and she dropped to the ground. She was covered in blood and his hand was red. He ran off and everyone ran to the woman to help her. I heard the scream.’

‘Burnt Oak is always a rough area but I’ve lived here for 17 years and have never seen someone do that in broad daylight.’

Local resident Mohamed Ble, 47, said Mrs Mukheywoman was left with a stab wound to the throat and two to the chest.

Floral tributes were left at the scene by members of the public following the stabbing 

He said: ‘There was a lot of blood, too much blood. I heard a lot of shouting, I did not know what.

‘Then I heard the woman say: “Help me, help me.” It was in a high-pitched voice.’

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, leading the investigation for the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘I know that the effects of this incident will be felt throughout the local community and would like to reassure everyone that a man is in custody, and we are not looking for any other suspects.

‘We are working hard to establish the full circumstances and motive for this offence, which we believe to be an isolated incident.’

Superintendent Tony Bellis from the North West Command Unit, responsible for policing Edgware, said: ‘A family has been left devastated by this shocking attack and my thoughts are with them at this unimaginably difficult time.

‘Local people will notice an increased police presence in the area in the coming days to provide reassurance.

‘If you have concerns or just want to speak with officers, please do approach them as they patrol.’