Two people have been charged, in the investigation into the murder of Nelly Akomah, in Croydon.
Hugo Da Silva Pires, 28, was charged on Sunday, 25 June with murder, burglary and fraud, and Catia Feliciano, 31, was charged with fraud and perverting the course of justice. Both are from Thornton Heath. The pair were arrested at Stansted Airport on Friday, 23 June and will appear in custody at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Monday, 26 June.
76-year-old Nelly Akomah was a much loved leader at the Nigeria's Methodist Mission UK and Ireland. The lifelong Christian and grandmother died shortly after she was found at the bottom of the stairs at a property on Ladbrook Road, at 10.40am on Wednesday last week.
Dame Susan Solanke, Lay president of the church, described the 76-year-old's death as a "big blow" to the congregation, and said her heart was broken by the news. She said: "It is heartbreaking to us all in NMM to lose such a committed member and soldier of Christ. My heartfelt sympathy goes to her children, family, extended family back home, sister... and other siblings in the UK.
Nelly's family has been informed of the charges, and police say they will continue to be supported by family liaison officers. A post-mortem examination carried out on Thursday, 22 June was inconclusive and further tests are taking place to establish a cause of death.
