TWO PEOPLE have been charged as part of an investigation into the murder of church leader Nelly Akomah in her south London home.

Hugo Da Silva Pires, 28, of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath was charged on Sunday, 25 June with murder, burglary and fraud.

Catia Feliciano, 31, of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, was charged with fraud and perverting the course of justice.

The pair were arrested at Stanstead Airport on Friday, 23 June and will appear in custody at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 26 June.

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command began an investigation after the body of 76-year-old Nelly Akomah was found at a residential property in Ladbrook Road at around 10.40am on Wednesday, 21 June.

Nelly’s family has been informed of this development and they will continue to be supported by family liaison officers.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Thursday, 22 June was inconclusive and further tests are taking place to establish a cause of death.

Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn said: “I don’t underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident and there are various suggestions circulating about what may have happened.

“At this stage, we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nelly’s address.

“I must stress that our investigation is in its very early stages and we are working to establish what exactly happened.”

A 62-year-old neighbour said: “We are heartbroken she was our neighbour for 20 years. A lovely churchgoing woman. She was always very well dressed. She was not doddery, she was very strong and always out doing her own shopping, she certainly wouldn’t have just fallen down the stairs. Just a smart, smiley, lady.”