Ealing ‘Murder’: Woman, 21, stabbed to death near school, pictured as second man arrested

Ania Jedrkowiak, a Polish national, was found with stab wounds in an alleyway in South Ealing, west London, just after midnight on Tuesday

A 21-year-old woman fatally stabbed in an alleyway has been named and pictured.

Ania Jedrkowiak, a Polish national, was found with stab wounds in an alleyway in South Ealing, London, just after midnight on Tuesday.

Ania was pronounced dead at the scene and a murder investigation was launched by the Met Police.

A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was released without further action.

A 29-year-old was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder and taken into custody where he remains, police confirmed.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have now made a second arrest which we believe is of major importance in this investigation. The victim and the suspect knew each other.

“We are investigating the CCTV and speaking to all witnesses who have come forward. However, we’re always interested in hearing from others who haven’t spoken to us but think they’ve seen or heard something, no matter how small, that might help.

“In particular, we would like anyone who lives or was traveling in the South Ealing Road area between 11.15pm on Monday 16th May and 1am the next day, or anyone who has CCTV or a doorbell camera or dash cam, prompt you to check it for anything that seems unusual.”

The force said in a statement: “Officials are speaking to Ania’s next of kin and are being assisted by specialist officers.”

A nearby school had to be closed on Tuesday because it was inside the police cordon.

Councilor Jon Ball yesterday expressed his “sadness” at hearing of “such a tragedy”.

“I am very saddened this morning to hear of the murder that took place in Robert’s Alley, South Ealing last night,” wrote Jon Ball, the Liberal Democrat councilor for the parish of Ealing Common, on social media. “What a tragedy.

“Grange School, Grange Nursery and Grange Pre-School are within the Police Cordon and are therefore closed today.”

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, who is responsible for policing in west London, including Ealing, said today: “This is a tragic incident which I know shocked the local community.

“Officers remain on site while our searches and forensic investigations continue. We will also have additional visible patrols in the area tonight and in the coming days.

“We are grateful to those who live and work nearby for their support and understanding as we continue our work. We acknowledge the inconvenience this causes.

“Wherever possible we have taken steps to allow businesses and other venues such as the local church to reopen as soon as our investigation permits.

“I am thinking in particular of the proximity of this incident to a local school – which meant the school had to remain closed on Tuesday.

“I know parents will be concerned and I want to assure them that we are working with the school to ensure children are able to continue their learning with minimal disruption. We assume that it can open again from Wednesday morning.

“If anyone in the community has concerns, I would encourage them to speak to an officer, contact their neighborhood police team, or call non-emergency 101.”

Information can be provided by calling Crimestoppers on 101 or anonymously on 0800 555 111. The reference number for the incident is 77/17MAY.

Since the incident, officials have been working with local partners to keep them informed and provide support and reassurance.