Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after 69-year-old found stabbed at home
Jennifer Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg, was found dead at her flat in Camden, north London, last Friday (June 13), having last been seen walking her pet corgi three days earlier.
A 66-year-old woman was arrested on Wednesday and remains in police custody, the Metropolitan Police said.
Officers are investigating whether Ms Abbott's death is linked to a diamond-encrusted Rolex missing from her home.
She was found by her niece and neighbours, who broke her door down after her family had not heard from her for several days.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma.
Detective Inspector Barry Hart, of Homicide Command, Specialist Crime North, said: 'Our deepest sympathies are with the victim's loved ones who are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
'We thank the local community for their patience as we continue to investigate this shocking crime. This arrest marks a significant step forward.
'There are several lines of inquiry ongoing, and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of this incident.'
An ambulance crew was called to Ms Abbott's home in Mornington Place at around 6pm on June 13 and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her pet corgi had been shut in the bathroom for three days but survived.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said her son had helped Ms Abbott's niece get into the flat, along with neighbour William Currie, 63.
She said: 'I was holding the door open downstairs and my son was upstairs and then I heard her niece screaming.'
She described Ms Abbott as 'exuberant' and 'vivacious'.
Mr Currie, a hairdresser, added: 'She used to walk the dog every couple of days. She kept herself to herself, she wasn't too sociable but kind, polite and well-mannered.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
32 minutes ago
- The Independent
Woman charged over murder of 69-year-old in north London
A woman has been charged with the murder of a 69-year-old woman who was discovered stabbed inside her north London home. Nancy Pexton, also 69, has been charged with murdering Jennifer Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg, who was found dead at her flat in Camden last Friday (June 13), the Metropolitan Police said. Ms Abbott was found by her niece and neighbours, who broke her door down after her family had not heard from her for several days. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma. Neighbours said they regularly saw Ms Abbott walking her pet corgi in the area with one describing her as 'exuberant' and 'vivacious'. Scotland Yard previously said officers were investigating whether Ms Abbott's death was linked to a diamond-encrusted Rolex missing from her home. Pexton is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Daily Mail
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Woman, 66, arrested over murder of film director, 69, found dead in her flat with diamond Rolex missing
A woman has been arrested over the murder of a film director who was found dead in her flat with her diamond Rolex missing. Police arrested the 66-year-old on Wednesday in connection with the stabbing of Jennifer Abbott. She has been remanded in custody. The director, 69, was stabbed to death in her council flat in Camden on Friday just days after she was last seen by neighbours walking her pet corgi Prince. She was discovered wrapped in a blanket with tape over her mouth by her niece and neighbours, who broke into her home amid growing concerns for her welfare, pals said. The Metropolitan Police have been hunting for her killer. It is thought that her diamond-encrusted Rolex may be missing from her address. They were called to her address on Mornington Place by the London Ambulance Service at 6pm on Friday were they found the victim with stab injuries. They pronounced her dead at the scene. Detective Inspector Barry Hart, of Homicide Command, Specialist Crime North, said: 'Our deepest sympathies are with the victim's loved ones who are being supported by specialist officers at this time. 'We thank the local community for their patience as we continue to investigate this shocking crime. 'This arrest marks a significant step forward. There are several lines of enquiry ongoing, and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of this incident. 'Locals can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while we conduct our enquires.' Ms Abbott, who counted Paris Hilton, Kate Hudson and Dan Ackroyd among her A-lister friends, moved to the capital after 'losing everything' from her life as a 'movie star'. Yesterday locals said that Ms Abbott, known professionally as Sarah Steinberg, had lived at the address for more than 10 years, having moved over from the US. Her next door neighbour Laura, 34, said: 'She was a movie star. She was in a couple of movies. She used to live in Beverly Hills. 'She said she came over here and lost everything. Everything was stolen off of her.' 'I live right next door to her. She was a friend of mine. I used to walk her dog when she was sick,' the hairdresser added. 'I wasn't here - I was at my boyfriend's when it happened. I am literally gobsmacked. Who would do that to someone? 'If I was there I maybe could have done something.' Forensics officers were seen carrying several bags of miscellaneous items from the victim's flat on Wednesday evening. Police officers were also spotted clearing an area next to the block of flats of branches and leaves. Neighbour Billie Currie, 63, said he had heard a dog barking for most of the night days before Ms Abbott's body was found. Mr Currie told MailOnline: 'She was always walking the dog and was really nice. She was quite reserved but very friendly.' Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she heard screaming from Ms Abbott's niece while she was trying to gain entry to her flat. Her son then grabbed a metal pole to bash down the door before making the grim discovery. Ms Abbott's corgi Prince was found locked in the bathroom after being on its own for up to three days. The neighbour added: 'I heard the girls banging on the door and heard her shouting "help, help". 'She was a vibrant, spritely, and intelligent person. We would talk about a lot of things - politics, current affairs, her likes and dislikes, we knew what each other liked.' She told of Ms Abbott's colourful career, during which she has worked as a doctor, and was even involved in the film industry where she directed the movie War of the Gods. 'She got interviewed in LA about this movie,' she said. 'She was known as Jenny or Janet and was quite mysterious.' But the neighbour revealed Ms Abbott is thought have recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Another neighbour said the area had recently had issues with homeless people breaking down their doors. He said: 'I think she had an operation and it went wrong or something. 'There used to be a lot of homeless, breaking in doors, sleeping inside, going to the toilet. 'Before it was all the time. Community police would come all the time. But not much anymore.' Another friend said Ms Abbott had recently broken down in tears while saying she was too scared to go to sleep. She added: 'I remember her saying to me that once she had tried coming out of the flat and couldn't get out because of all the druggies out there. 'It was a dark day when that happened. It's not about me, I feel for her and her son and her niece who had to see her like that. I can't believe I'm not going to see her again. 'We will miss her running around. I mean she was indoors a lot but she made herself known. She'd talk to everyone. 'Her niece said she had a lot of jewellery so the police need to check if anything else is missing. 'To put the dog in the bathroom and then shut her up by putting the tape across her mouth and then they ransacked her house. 'I'm not surprised she had a Rolex. She was a woman of taste who liked to have a lot of nice things.'
ITV News
an hour ago
- ITV News
Woman charged over murder of 'vivacious' 69-year-old found dead in Camden flat
A woman has been charged with the murder of a 69-year-old woman whose neigbours found her stabbed to deatb in her north London flat. Nancy Pexton, also 69, has been charged with murdering Jennifer Abbott, who was found dead at her flat in Camden last Friday (June 13), the Metropolitan Police said. Ms Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg, was found by her niece and neighbours, who broke her door down after her family had not heard from her for several days. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma. Neighbours said they regularly saw Ms Abbott walking her pet corgi in the area with one describing her as 'exuberant' and 'vivacious'. Scotland Yard previously said officers were investigating whether Ms Abbott's death was linked to a diamond-encrusted Rolex missing from her home. Pexton is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates' Court on Friday.
