Bermondsey stabbings: man charged with murders of four people due in court

A man charged with murdering four family members at a home in south-east London will appear in court on Thursday (28 April).

Joshua Jacques, 28, is accused of killing Jamaican-born NHS worker Dolet Hill, 64 and her partner Denton Burke, 58, who were found stabbed at their home in Delaford Road, Bermondsey, on Monday.

Ms Hill’s daughter, Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, also known as Rachquel, who lived in Kennington, and Ms Ofori-Akuffo’s daughter, Samantha Drummonds, 27, who lived in Forest Hill, also died at the house.

Police officers found them at the house at 01:40am following a call from neighbours.

Mr Jacques was Tasered by Metropolitan Police officers before his arrest. He was initially taken to hospital before being taken into custody and charged with four counts of murder.

The 28-year-old, of Minard Road, south-east London, will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the Metropolitan Police said.

He was charged on Thursday morning following an investigation by homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

Tributes paid to the victims

A friend of Ms Drummonds told reporters that she had temporarily moved into the house in Bermondsey while building work was carried out at her own flat.

Rudra Brambhatt told the Evening Standard: “She had only recently moved out temporarily while her bathroom was done. Samantha took her cat and went back to the family home.

“We are devastated. We got on so well. She loved music and worked at NatWest.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust paid tribute to Ms Hill, who was an active trade union member.

Alastair Gourlay, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “We are devastated to hear about the tragic death of Dolet Hill, who worked as a housekeeping assistant in our pharmacy department for more than 21 years, before her retirement in 2018.

“Dolet was a well-respected colleague, who also helped to improve the workplace for others as an active UNISON representative.

“Our thoughts are with Dolet’s family, friends and all who worked with her.”

Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, who is leading the investigation into the deaths, warned that it will be “a protracted inquiry”.

She said: “This was a truly horrific incident and I fully recognise that the distress for the family and the community will be overwhelming.

“We are conducting a thorough and detailed investigation into the facts and we are appealing to anyone who can assist with any information to come forward.

“If you know anything or saw anything that you think might help us piece together the events which led to this, then do not hesitate – please call police. You can also call Crimestoppers if you do not want to give your name.

“We deeply appreciate all the help we have already received from local people, and I would like to thank them for their patience and support in what is likely to be a protracted inquiry.

“We are moving as fast we can at the scene, but we need to ensure we uncover all the facts and secure every bit of necessary evidence, and this may understandably take some time.

“We are aware that we have family, friends and a community that are all asking questions; we are determined to give them the answers they deserve as soon as possible.”