Wembley murders: Two sisters stabbed to death in London park were killed by stranger, police believe

Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry had just celebrated birthday party with family and friends

Sisters Bibaa Henry (left) and Nicole Smallman (right) were found stabbed to death in Fryent Country Park, in Wembley, northwest London, on 7 June 2020. (PA)

Police believe two sisters stabbed to death in a London park were killed by a complete stranger.

Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were found dead in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, on Sunday afternoon.

The sisters, from Harrow and Brent respectively, had met family and friends at the park at about 7.40pm on Friday to celebrate Ms Henry’s 46th birthday.

They were the only ones remaining by about 00.30am on Saturday and police believe they were murdered within the next couple of hours.

The pair were reported missing late on Saturday after they did not return home and officers were called to reports of two women found unresponsive in the park the following day.

A post-mortem examination on Tuesday revealed both women, knifed “multiple times”, died from stab wounds.

Police are now hunting for someone “unknown to them” who they believe received injuries during the incident that caused “significant bleeding”.

Officers are currently searching a pond, while also trawling through “hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rubbish from a local refuse depot” in search of items linked to the investigation which they believe were “accidentally cleared from the scene when mistaken for rubbish”.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command, said: “This is an unthinkably harrowing and tragic incident and my first thoughts remain with Nicole and Bibaa’s close family and friends who are going through the most unimaginable pain and suffering.

“What we can now say with some certainty is that Nicole and Bibaa were murdered by someone who was unknown to them.”

DCI Harding asked the public to help his team with two key points from the investigation.

He said: “We believe the suspect received injuries during the incident which have caused significant bleeding.

“Do you know anyone who has been wounded in the last week who is unable to account for their injuries? Has someone returned home and perhaps acted suspiciously or tried to hide something from you?

“We also believe the suspect left the park via the Valley Drive entrance.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in that vicinity during the evening of Friday into early hours of Saturday? You may have noticed someone who was injured.”

DCI Harding also urged anyone who was in the area of the park from the evening of Friday 5 June to lunchtime Sunday 7 June and noticed the group or saw anyone or anything suspicious to contact police immediately.

Flowers at an entrance to Fryent Country Park in Wembley, north London, 8 June 2020, where a murder investigation has been launched after two sisters were stabbed to death. (PA)

He also wants to hear from people who regularly use the park who may have seen a person acting suspicious in the days leading up to the attack.

Chief Superintendent Roy Smith, borough commander for north west London, added: “My thoughts are with the family who have lost two loved ones in the most tragic of circumstances.

“I understand how alarmed and concerned residents will be about this incident given the circumstances.

“I want to reassure them that officers have been carrying out extra patrols in the area since last Friday and local residents can expect to see this continue over coming days, but of course it’s timely to remind people to be vigilant, particularly after dark in parks and opens areas and report anything suspicious to us immediately.”

A 36-year-old man was arrested in south London on suspicion of murder on Wednesday.

He was taken into police custody but later released with no further action.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4205, via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 3160/7Jun.

To give information anonymously, call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.