Woman, 43, found battered to death after police forced to break into flat

A 43-year-old woman was discovered battered to death in her home in southeast London.

Police had to break into the River Thames flat in Argyll Road in Woolwich just before 5.30pm on Friday after concerns about her welfare.

Nothing could be done to help her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem on Saturday indicated that the cause of death was blunt force trauma and head injury.

The Metropolitan Police has now launched a murder investigation and is hunting for her killer, who they believe was known to the victim.

DCI Suzanne Soren described the incident as ‘deeply tragic,’ adding: ‘Our thoughts are very much with the victim’s family who are being supported by specialist officers.

‘At this early stage we believe that the suspect was known to the victim and we are carrying out urgent enquiries to trace a named individual.’

The woman’s next of kin has been informed, but her identity is yet to be confirmed formally.

The Met has urged anyone with information which could assist with the investigation to come forward. 

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