Man arrested over mother’s death and son released without further action

Yi Chen, 37, and her five-year-old son Xing Duan Yuan were found dead with stab wounds at their home in Barnet, north London, on Tuesday afternoon

A man arrested in connection with the deaths of a mother and her son was released without further action.

Yi Chen, 37, and her five-year-old son Xing Duan Yuan were found with stab wounds in Barnet, north London, just after 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Ambulance services, including London’s Air Ambulance, rushed to the house but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 37-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with the deaths was released without further action, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday.

An autopsy revealed that Yi died of stab wounds. An autopsy of her son is scheduled for next week.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Hine of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “The autopsy of Yi Chen has provided important new information about the nature of her injuries.

“Following the post-mortem, the 37-year-old man arrested in connection with the deaths was released without further action.

“No one else is wanted in connection with the two deaths.

“This incident had a devastating impact on Yi and Duan’s family. We have specially trained officers to support them where we can.

“I am also aware of the significant impact this tragedy has had on local people and children in particular. Colleagues from the Met’s North West BCU continue to work with my officers and with partner organizations to provide the community with the safety and support they need.”

In the hours after the stabbing, shocked locals left emotional tributes just meters from where Yi and Duan were found.

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.

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 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.

Anyone with information that might help police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC with reference 3590/21JUN. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.