Mother, 32, and chef die from injuries after separate Notting Hill Carnival attacks

A mother and a chef have both died after they were attacked in separate incidents during Notting Hill Carnival, ITV News' Kaf Okpattah reports from News Scotland Yard

A mother and a chef have both died after they were attacked in separate incidents during Notting Hill Carnival in London last weekend.

Cher Maximen, 32, was with her three-year-old daughter and other family and friends on Sunday, when she was stabbed after she tried to intervene in a fight, police said.

Mussie Imnetu, 41, a chef who worked under Gordon Ramsay, was found unconscious with a head injury outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway at about 11.22pm on Monday.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the deaths as "deeply distressing and shocking".

She added: "My thoughts are with all their family and friends. This terrible and appalling violence has no place on our streets."

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also condemned the "completely unacceptable" violence on the streets of London.

“It is heartbreaking that Cher Maximen and Mussie Imnetu have died after being attacked in separate incidents over the Bank Holiday weekend," he said.

"My thoughts are with their families and friends at this truly terrible time. This violence is shocking, completely unacceptable and a betrayal of the values that Carnival was founded to celebrate."

Police gave Ms Maximen emergency treatment at the scene on Sunday, and she was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition for five days and then died on Saturday morning.

Shakiel Thibou, 20, of Masbro Road, W12 was charged with attempted murder and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning. In light of Ms Maximen’s death, the offence will be reviewed in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila of the Met’s Homicide Command, who leads the investigation, said: “Cher was at Carnival with her young child. We have been in close contact with our local authority partners and Cher's family since soon after this incident to make sure the child is safe and looked after.”

Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for Carnival, said: “The news of Cher’s tragic death is devastating for her family, the wider community and all those involved in delivering the Notting Hill Carnival.

"Carnival is about bringing people together in a positive celebration. That it has ended with the tragic loss of life, among other incidents of serious violence, will sadden everyone involved."

Mussie Imnetu, who was visiting the UK from Dubai where he lived and worked, died from his injuries on Friday August 30.

Omar Wilson, 31, of Napier Road, Leytonstone was charged on Thursday with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 30, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 27. The offence will be reviewed in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service following Mr Imnetu's death.

The organisers of Notting Hill Carnival said in a statement: “Notting Hill Carnival is shocked by these tragic deaths and our thoughts are with the victims‘ families and the local community as a whole, which like so many others, has suffered all too often from the blight of violent crime.

”We stand together against all violence and condemn these acts, which are against all carnival values and the millions of people who come in celebration of them.”

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation from the Met’s Homicide Command, said: “Mussie’s family, friends and colleagues in London, Dubai, Sweden and Eritrea are inconsolable after receiving the worst news imaginable – our thoughts are with them and they are being supported by specialist officers.

“Our investigation is well advanced, but we are still very keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together Mussie’s movements between 13:00hrs when we know he left The Arts Club in Dover Street, W1 and when he arrived at Dr Power restaurant, in Queensway at 22:30hrs.

“If you visited the restaurant between 22:00hrs and 23:30hrs on Monday night or were in the area and saw something, regardless of the reason you were there, please do get in touch.

“Our focus is on what happened to Mussie. Did you speak with him at the restaurant or do you have any images or videos between these times that could assist the investigation? The attack happened around 23:20hrs. Customers at the venue tried to help stop the attack; we need to speak with these people and I urge them to contact us.”

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, message @MetCC on X or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 giving the reference 8020/26AUG.

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