‘Loving grandmother’ among four victims stabbed to death in Bermondsey

Grandmother Dolet Hill, 64, her partner Denton Burke, daughter Tanysha Drummonds, and her granddaughter Samantha Drummonds, were found dead inside the property on Delaford Road on Monday.

Ms Hill is believed to be an NHS worker who worked at nearby St Guy’s Hospital.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the four victims were three women aged in their mid 60s, 40s and 30s, and a man in his mid 60s.

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was taken to a south London police station, where he remains in custody.

Police say they believe all five people to be known to each other and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Neighbours described waking up to a “bloodbath” and “scenes of carnage” in Bermondsey,

Police were called to reports of a disturbance at a three-bedroom terraced house on Delaford Road about 1.40am.

Officers attended, forced entry and discovered four people suffering stab injuries inside.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Metropolitan Police Commander Colin Wingrove described the moment police made the “dreadful discovery”.

Southwark: Four people found stabbed to death in horror in Bermondsey

Speaking at the scene on Monday afternoon, he said: “In the early hours of this morning, following a call from neighbours, officers forced entry into a house here in Delaford Road.

“Inside the house, they made a dreadful discovery of four people who’d been stabbed.”

He added: “Such terrible events are rare, but this will not diminish the shock that we felt across London and beyond.

“And I can assure you this investigation will be thorough to ensure justice for the victims and their families and the community.

“I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those concerned.

“This is a deeply shocking incident and we will do everything we can to provide support to everyone affected at this difficult time.”

Speaking near the scene on Monday afternoon, the niece of one of the victims paid tribute to her aunt and said she “didn’t deserve this”.

Venecia Reid, who was visibly upset, said: “She was very loving, very kind, very generous.

“She worked very hard in this country to support her two girls and her two grandkids. She does not deserve this.”

Meanwhile, neighbours described hearing screams before armed police arrived at the property.

A neighbour said: “I was watching telly and I heard screaming. It was a woman, they were terrible screams.

“A little later I head a helicopter and looked out and saw police everywhere. It looked like the police had guns. They forced entry to the house.”

A pensioner, whose house overlooks the horror, said: “There were loads of police and paramedics working on the victims outside. It looked like a bloodbath - a scene of carnage.

“They were my neighbours, I think. A lovely couple. I can’t believe anyone would want to hurt them.”

She added: “They have been here for years. I am so shocked – it’s a nightmare. I can’t tell you how nice these people were.”