A man has been charged with murdering a “gentle” teacher in south London.
Gemma Devonish, 42, was found with stab wounds at a home in Nutfield Close in Carshalton on Thursday.
Officers and London Ambulance Service rushed to the scene where Ms Devonish was pronounced dead.
James Madden, 38, who was known to Ms Devonish, was arrested in the early hours of Friday.
On Saturday he was charged with her murder and detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder.
He will appear in custody at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
‘The kindest and most gentle of people’
Miss Devonish had worked as head of year at Rosebery School in Epsom, which has been left "devastated by the sudden and unexpected death".
A short school statement said: "Our thoughts are with Gemma's mother and sister, extended family and friends, at this deeply distressing time."
Rosebery’s Head of School David Lach told SurreyLive: “Miss Devonish was the kindest and most gentle of people, who was devoted to her work and loved her students at Rosebery so very much.
“She was a wonderful teacher who inspired a love of her subject among all her students and went above and beyond to offer her time, expertise and care to the students in her classes and in her year group.
“We know that this news will have come as a terrible shock to students and parents/carers across our community, as it has to all staff, who are finding it incredibly difficult to comprehend that we have lost such a cherished friend and colleague, so suddenly.
“Her loss to our school is incalculable, but she leaves the most incredible legacy in the hundreds of students that have been touched by her energy, passion and empathy.
“The hearts of the Rosebery community will be broken by this awful news, but the strength of our school has always been the way we have supported each other in times of adversity."
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 that we can.
“We know that the wider community will also be impacted and I would urge anyone with concerns to please speak with local officers.
“While we have made an arrest detectives continue to carry out a number of enquiries as we build a picture of the events that led to this horrific murder.
“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.”
