A mother was stabbed after an alleged altercation with her child at Notting Hill Carnival but has tragically died from her wounds.
Police say a 32-year-old woman named Cher Maximen was attacked at the event on Sunday and taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Police confirmed on Saturday that she sadly died early this morning. Police said she had gone to the carnival “to have fun with her young children” when she was involved in “the most horrific violence”.
It is believed a fight broke out between two groups of men and she was stabbed, but it is unclear if they knew her. The Metropolitan police said suspect Shakiel Thibault, 20, has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the knife attack on his 32-year-old mother.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Saturday they became aware of “the seriousness of her injuries” early on and referred the investigation to the Met’s Special Crimes Command. They said the crimes the suspects are accused of were currently under review in light of their deaths on Saturday morning.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammanpila of the Met’s Homicide Command, which is leading the investigation, said: “They are being supported by specialist officers and we can assure you that this support will continue.” Cher had come to the carnival with her young child.
“We have been in close contact with our local authority partners and Cher’s family since immediately after this incident to ensure the child is safe and well looked after,” said Cllr Charmaine Breyner, spokesperson for the Met’s Notting Hill Carnival. Cher’s tragic death is devastating for her family, the wider community and everyone involved in the running of Notting Hill Carnival.”
“Carnival is about people coming together for positive celebration and that it has ended with such a tragic loss of life and other serious violent incidents will sadden everyone involved.
The mother was one of several people who were killed in separate gruesome attacks at the carnival over the weekend. Massey Imnetu suffered fatal head injuries and died outside The Doctor restaurant on Monday. Power found on the Queensway.
The Met confirmed on Saturday that the 41-year-old top chef, who previously worked with Gordon Ramsay, also tragically died from his injuries.
He had reportedly been visiting London from Dubai when he was found injured. Omar Wilson, 31, from Leytonstone, was charged last week with causing grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with his incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is investigating Imnetu’s death, said the chef’s “family, friends and colleagues in London, Dubai, Sweden and Eritrea are devastated to receive the terrible news”.
He added: “Our investigation is well underway but we are keen to receive information from anyone who can assist us in tracing Massey’s movements between 1pm, when he is recorded leaving the Arts Club in Dover Street, and his arrival at the Restaurant Dr. Power in the Queensway at 10pm.”
Wilson appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody before appearing at Southwark Magistrates’ Court on 27 September. The carnival, held over the holiday weekend, was monitored by around 7,000 police officers. The event takes place every August bank holiday and is the UK’s largest and longest running carnival.
The Metropolitan Police issued a section 60 order giving officers increased powers to stop and search people. The order also allows them to ask people to remove face coverings used to conceal their identity, with arrest possible if they refuse.