Charity boss mum-of-two discovered stabbed to demise after home explosion is pictured
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in north-east London just before 5am on Tuesday after emergency services were alerted to a suspected gas explosion
A women’s charity boss was stabbed to death in her own home before it was blown up in a gas explosion, sparking a murder probe.
Annabel Rook’s body was found with fatal stab wounds just before 5am on Tuesday by emergency services that had been called out to a blast in Stoke Newington, north-east London.
Two children, aged seven and nine, were also taken to hospital as a precaution but are not thought to have been inside the home when the explosion happened.
Annabel, 46, worked for a charity that she co-founded called Mama Suze CIC, that supported refugee and migrant women, some who had fled domestic violence, with art and drama activities.
A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and has been taken to hospital to be treated for slash wounds. His condition is not life-changing or life-threatening. A Met Police spokesman said: “While inquiries continue, at this early stage we do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.”
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday, where road closures remain in place this afternoon. The house, a terrace on the corner of Dumont Road, was surrounded by police, firefighters and gas workers later in the morning.
According to her LinkedIn page, Ms Rook had worked for charities in Africa, then teaching drama in the UK and on various theatre projects.
Police said when they arrived at the house, the front bay window was completely blown out, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street.
Neighbours described the noise as the explosion tore through the house. A resident on Dumont Road said he heard a crash “like somebody dropped a massive glass cabinet from a crane”.
The man, who did not want to be named, added: “I looked out and saw panes of glass on the floor. You could tell it wasn’t a car window. Eventually I noticed the beam on the bay window was missing and could see some mild smoke coming out of the back.
“People starting arriving and saying to phone the police. There was a guy rushing around, very distraught. He went round the back.”
Teacher Alun Gordon said: “We just woke up to a massive bang … my whole house shook, it felt like a truck had hit the house. I then heard screams, someone shouting ‘oh my God’ several times, so I came outside and basically all the neighbours appeared in their pyjamas.
“We quickly established that the children got out, that there’d been marital strife. My daughter babysat for her and we would chat to her as a neighbour. It’s a massive tragedy for the street.”
Local Matteo Prodava, 35, said: “You hear these things that happen in the world, but when it happens on the next street, it has a different impact.”
Another resident in Kersley Road, near Dumont Road – who did not want to be named – said she was in shock. She said: “That is so sad. I just want to cry. I have never heard of something like this happening here. I am just in shock.
“I feel sorry for the kids – what sort of news is this? We just thought we couldn’t move the cars and there’s been a gas explosion. Now, I don’t know what to say.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this very difficult time.
“Our officers arrested a man on suspicion of murder at the scene and will be conducting interviews as soon as possible, to establish the full circumstances that led to Annabel’s death.”
Anyone with information about the incident is yrged to call police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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