Latest news with #AnnabelRook
South Wales Guardian
8 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Charity worker found stabbed in house after gas explosion
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on Tuesday. She 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. Police said it is believed Ms Rook's death is 'a domestic-related incident'. 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. Neighbours described the noise as the explosion tore through the house. 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.' 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.' Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday, where road closures remain in place. The house, a terrace on the corner of Dumont Road, was surrounded by police, firefighters and gas workers later in the morning. 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. 'While inquiries continue, at this early stage we do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.' According to her LinkedIn page, Ms Rook had worked for charities in Africa, then teaching drama in the UK and on various theatre projects. Matteo Prodava, a 35-year-old production designer who lives across from the house, 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.' Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
Rhyl Journal
8 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Charity worker found stabbed in house after gas explosion
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on Tuesday. She 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. Police said it is believed Ms Rook's death is 'a domestic-related incident'. 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. Neighbours described the noise as the explosion tore through the house. 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.' 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.' Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday, where road closures remain in place. The house, a terrace on the corner of Dumont Road, was surrounded by police, firefighters and gas workers later in the morning. 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. 'While inquiries continue, at this early stage we do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.' According to her LinkedIn page, Ms Rook had worked for charities in Africa, then teaching drama in the UK and on various theatre projects. Matteo Prodava, a 35-year-old production designer who lives across from the house, 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.' Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Charity worker found stabbed in house after gas explosion
A woman found stabbed after a gas explosion at her home has been named as a charity worker who supported refugees. Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on Tuesday. She 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. Police said it is believed Ms Rook's death is 'a domestic-related incident'. 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. Neighbours described the noise as the explosion tore through the house. 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.' 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.' Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday, where road closures remain in place. The house, a terrace on the corner of Dumont Road, was surrounded by police, firefighters and gas workers later in the morning. 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. The front bay window was completely blown out, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street. 'While inquiries continue, at this early stage we do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.' According to her LinkedIn page, Ms Rook had worked for charities in Africa, then teaching drama in the UK and on various theatre projects. Matteo Prodava, a 35-year-old production designer who lives across from the house, 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.'
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
Mum and human rights lawyer named as 'murder' victim after fatal stabbing and house explosion
The victim has been identified as "lovely" lawyer and mother-of-two Annabel Rook, whose body was discovered with knife wound injuries following the explosion. A mum-of-two and human rights lawyer has been named locally as the woman found fatally stabbed after a house explosion this morning. Annabel Rook, 46, was discovered with knife wounds following a blast that ripped through the basement and ground floor of her terraced home in Stoke Newington on Tuesday, June 17, reports the Mirror. A huge emergency response including six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to the two-storey house shortly before 5am, battling to contain the aftermath of the explosion. A 44-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He was found at the scene with slash wounds and was taken to the trauma centre in London. Police said his injuries were not life-threatening. Neighbours told The Mirror: 'She was a lovely lady - a very doting mother. I would always see her walking to school with her children. They go to school just around the corner. 'I think she bought the property about seven years ago. I remember speaking to her when she first moved in." Another said: 'She was part of this community. It's a shock to hear what happened.' Police confirmed two children, aged nine and seven, were taken to hospital as a precaution. It's believed they were not inside the property at the time of the explosion. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) are investigating the cause. One neighbour said he thought he was 'dreaming' when a huge bang woke him - while a woman described the murder arrest as "really sad". The neighbour said: "There was a big explosion at around ten to five. It was very loud. It woke me up and I thought, 'Was that in a dream?'. We went out in the street and there was glass all over. "We walked to the house and the front window was blown in. It was very quick that the emergency services came. We didn't know [the people living in the house], but their next door neighbours did. [We heard] the children weren't in the house [at the time of the explosion]." Another local woman added: "The front of the house was damaged. We live about eight doors down - we can't get into our house. All of the residents are out of their houses." The local man added: "I couldn't smell any gas and there was no fire as well. I think maybe there was some fire in the basement and some smoke came out, but that was about an hour after the event." Another local woman, who didn't hear the explosion, said: "On our local WhatsApp group, nobody seems to know what happened. The first thing we saw was a news report at 7:30am." Told a murder investigation had been launched by the Metropolitan Police, the woman added: "That's awful. Really sad." Another woman added: "It's a lovely road - but I guess things like this can happen anywhere. It's really good the kids are alright." LFB station commander Darren McTernan said: 'Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area for most of this morning while investigations into the cause of this incident are carried out. 'There are road closures in place on Stoke Newington Church Street from the junction of the A10 to Defoe Road. Residents should also note that Kersley Road is completely shut at this time.' Crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Homerton and Holloway fire stations were called to the scene.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Woman stabbed to death before gas explosion named by police
A woman found stabbed to death inside a house following a gas explosion in north-east London has been named as Annabel Met Police and London Fire Brigade were called to reports of a blast with a person trapped inside at a terraced house on Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, just before 05:00 BST. The woman, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene.A 44-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was taken to hospital with slash wounds. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
