A teacher who was allegedly murdered in a vicious attack was stabbed a horringfying 54 times, the Old Bailey has heard.
Gemma Devonish, 42, was a beloved teacher at the all-girls Rosebery Secondary School, in Epsom, Surrey, and was found dead at her home in Nutfield Close, Carshalton, at 10.30am on Thursday last week.
On the morning of the incident, emergency services were called to reports of an injured woman at the Carshalton property just after 10.30am, where they discovered Miss Devonish had suffered stab wounds.
Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miss Devonish’s boyfriend of ten years, James Madden, 38, of Railton Road, Lambeth, has been charged with her murder, with Police not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the teacher’s death.
As news of the tragedy emerged, tributes were paid to Miss Devonish, including from her ‘devastated’ colleagues.
A statement from Rosebery School said: ‘The entire Rosebery community is devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of Miss Gemma Devonish.
‘Our thoughts are with Gemma’s mother and sister, extended family and friends, at this deeply distressing time.’
Tributes have been paid to Gemma Devonish, 42, a teacher at Rosebery School in Epsom, Surrey, as police confirmed a man known to her has been charged with murder
Police have appealed for any information about the fatal stabbing in Carshalton on Thursday
Headteacher David Lach described Miss Devonish as ‘the kindest and most gentle of people’ and that her loss to the school is ‘incalculable’, he told Surrey Live.
He said: ‘She was a wonderful teacher who inspired a love of her subject among all her students and went above and beyond to offer her time, expertise and care to the students in her classes and in her year group.
‘We know that this news will have come as a terrible shock to students and parents/carers across our community, as it has to all staff, who are finding it incredibly difficult to comprehend that we have lost such a cherished friend and colleague, so suddenly.
‘Her loss to our school is incalculable, but she leaves the most incredible legacy in the hundreds of students that have been touched by her energy, passion and empathy.’
Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, said on X that she was ‘deeply distressed’ by the news.
In a statement she wrote: ‘My heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends & colleagues.’
Meanwhile on social media, a friend described her as ‘beautiful, level headed, really f***ing cool. Always kind, always a gorgeous easy smile. She was wonderful.’
On Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila expressed his sympathies towards Miss Devonish’s family and friends.
He said: ‘Our thoughts today are with Gemma’s family and friends who are trying to come to terms with this truly tragic event. We are offering them all the support that we can.
Emergency services were called to reports of an injured woman at a property in Nutfield Close just after 10.30am on Thursday, where they discovered Miss Devonish had been stabbed
Police announced today that James Madden, 38, of Railton Road, Lambeth, who was known to Miss Devonish, was charged with her murder and remanded into custody
‘We know that the wider community will also be impacted and I would urge anyone with concerns to please speak with local officers.
‘While we have made an arrest, detectives continue to carry out a number of enquiries as we build a picture of the events that led to this horrific murder.
‘I would ask anyone who was in the area of Nutfield Close who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, particularly on Wednesday 18 or morning of Thursday 19 December, to make contact.’
At the Old Bailey hearing, the accused, James Madden, was remanded in custody, with Judge Mark Dennis KC saying: ‘This was a dreadful and sustained attack upon the victim – 54 stab and incise wounds caused.’
He adjourned the case for a plea hearing on March 11 next year. A date has been set for October 6 next year.