Mother stabbed to death in Muswell Hill 'may have known attacker'

Murder probe: Catherine Burke, 55, was stabbed to death last Thursday
Met Police
Patrick Grafton-Green21 November 2017
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A mother who was stabbed to death after being gagged and bound in her north London home may have known her attacker, police said.

Catherine Burke's body was discovered at a house in a quiet street in Muswell Hill last Thursday evening after concerned neighbours raised the alarm.

Neighbours in Hill Road said at the weekend they were disturbed to read reports she was found tied up.

A post-mortem examination revealed the 55-year-old's provisional cause of death to be from stab injuries, Scotland Yard said.

A police officer stands at the scene of the killing in Muswell Hill

The lead investigator in the case, acting Detective Chief Inspector Dave Bolton, said: "At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to any motive and whether Catherine knew her attacker or attackers."

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the victim on Wednesday or Thursday last week.

"We are aware that her daily routine included walking her dog locally and would be interested in speaking with anyone that knew her," DCI Bolton added.

No arrests have yet been made and Ms Burke's family have joined police to appeal for witnesses.

Murder scene: Floral tributes outside a house on Hill Road, Muswell Hill
PA

A family spokesman said: "Catherine will be deeply missed by family and close friends. We urge anyone with any information to come forward to police.

"As a family we ask for privacy at this difficult time."

The retired civil servant, originally from Galway, Ireland, was described as a “much-loved” figure in the community.

She had raised thousands of pounds for a neighbouring family when their child developed brain cancer.

Family friends said her only son Nial, who is in his early 20s, was “beyond distressed” and has returned to north London from university to stay with his grandmother and father nearby.

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