Barnet stabbed: Mother ‘in love’ stabbed to death at home with five-year-old son

Neighbors paid tribute to Yi Chen, who lived with her data analyst husband Shuai Yuan, and their five-year-old son, who they described as a “sassy little boy full of character.”

Tributes have been paid to a “doting” mother of two who was found stabbed to death with her son.

Yi Chen, 37, and the five-year-old boy, known to friends as Duan Duan, were found with stab wounds in Barnet, north London, just after 1.30pm on Tuesday.

An ambulance was rushed to the property but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 37-year-old man, who police said knew the victims, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Toys, candles and a chocolate Harry Potter castle were left at the scene as neighbors expressed their shock and disbelief at what happened on their doorstep.

Locals paid tribute to the “lovely lady” who lived with her data analyst husband Shuai Yuan and two sons, and the “sassy little boy full of character”.

A friend who lives nearby told it MailOnline: “Yi was a lovely woman, a loving mother. She was perfect.”

The neighbor added: “She stayed inside most of the time but when I saw her she was outside having fun with her kids.

“I’m shocked that this happened. Her youngest son was Duan Duan. He was a cheeky little boy but full of character even at his young age when they lived here.”

Two relatives were seen crying as they entered the police line yesterday and left a few minutes later.

A man who lived close to the family described them as “very private,” adding that he didn’t see them often in the area.

Another neighbor, who also asked not to be named, added: “You can imagine I’m sitting here watching the six o’clock news and I’m seeing Brookside South, Barnet.

“You hear these things happening across the country, but when it’s happening on your doorstep, you can’t believe it.

“The victims are believed to be of Chinese descent, with the boy being a pupil at Monkfrith Primary School, which is only around 350 meters from the scene.”

A woman who previously lived nearby said: “One of our neighbors called a friend and said it was one door down from her.

‘The little boy, he goes to this Monkfrith school, he was in reception. A five-year-old boy, it’s just awful.”

Two family members, a man and a woman, said a prayer as they left the scene of the crime yesterday as they cried.

Two priests were also seen Wednesday morning visiting the area to lay flowers.

Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, Met Police Commander for North West London, said: “The whole community will be shocked and saddened to hear of this terrible incident.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the late wife and child, as well as the officers and paramedics who were the first to arrive at what was an incredibly challenging scene.

“Special investigators are working to determine what happened and one man is in custody.

“While they are open about what happened, I would like to reassure those living in the area that, at this time, there is nothing to indicate that anyone else was involved in this incident.”

She added: “I would like to urge anyone who has seen or heard anything unusual today or in the past few days to come forward and speak to the police.

“Your information could be crucial as the investigation unfolds.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the police on 101 quoting reference 3590/21JUN.

Alternatively, it can be sent anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Monkfrith Primary School was approached by the Mirror but declined to comment.