Schoolteacher, 42, stabbed to death inside house as man charged with murder
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Police investigating the murder of a popular teacher have charged a man with murder. Gemma Devonish, 42, was found in a home in Carshalton on at around 10.30am on Thursday, December 19. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
James Madden, 38, was arrested in the early hours of Friday, 20 December. He has today been charged with her murder. Police confirmed he was known to Gemma. He will appear in custody at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 December. The investigation, which is being led by detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, is ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila said: “Our thoughts today are with Gemma’s family and friends who are trying to come to terms with this truly tragic event. We are offering them all the support we can. “We know the wider community will also be impacted and I would urge anyone with concerns to please speak with local officers. I would ask anyone who was in the area of Nutfield Close who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, particularly on Wednesday 18 or morning of Thursday 19 December, to make contact.”.
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 7175 2206 or via 101 quoting CAD 3012/19Dec. Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, from the South Area Command Unit responsible for policing in Sutton, added: "I share the shock and concern that this terrible incident will have on the local community in Sutton. A team of specialist detectives is already making significant progress in this investigation and have swiftly arrested a man who is now in police custody.“Local residents will see an increased number of officers in and around Nutfield Close while important investigative work is carried out. I want to thank residents for their patience while this continues and would urge anyone with concerns to speak to one of them so they can assist.”.
