The daughter of a “beautiful, kind” woman killed in a hit-and-run has pleaded for witnesses come forward as police continue to hunt her mother’s killer six months on.
Ina Rodrigues, 58, was struck down by a moped as she crossed a road in Hammersmith on January 16, as she returned home from work to her two daughters.
Police continue to hunt those responsible, and on Friday released new CCTV footage showing two men they would like to speak to.
Ms Rodrigues’ daughter, who has been left parentless, told of the agony her family has experienced in the six months since her mother’s death and revealed details of her final moments.
“My mum was a beautiful, kind soul who loved life and all that it had to offer,” she said in a statement released through the Met. “She...was looking forward to the future she had ahead.
“She was my last surviving parent and took on the role of mum and dad to give me and my younger sister everything she could and I was supposed to be able to give that back to her.
“She messaged us both at 6pm on Tuesday, January 16 saying she was on her way home from work.
“Eight minutes into her 10-minute walk to the train station she was hit by two individuals on a moped whilst crossing Talgarth Road, at the junction with Gliddon Road, just by Barons Court station.
“The two instantly fled the scene and left her in the middle of a busy road.
“She sustained horrific injuries and sadly died in hospital five days later. All she wanted to do was come home to us and she now doesn’t get the opportunity to do that.
“My mum’s life was so cruelly and unfairly taken away from me and my family. I now live everyday with anxiety and grief that I have no answers six months later as to who the individuals responsible are.
“My family and I need answers and as a community we need to take the two responsible, who clearly have no regard to human life, off the streets.”
She urged anyone with information to get in touch with the police.
“I am asking you from the bottom of my heart to please call in if you have any information, regardless how small it may seem,” she said, adding that getting justice could “finally put a partial end to the pain my family and I have been experiencing every day for the past six months”.
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Police and paramedics rushed to the scene where Ms Rodrigues was struck around 6pm on January 16.
The moped rider did not stop, and CCTV captured the rider and passenger abandoning it a short while later before fleeing on foot.
Ms Rodrigues was taken to hospital, where she died on January 21.
No arrests have yet been made.
Detective Sergeant Jim Hinchliffe, from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Ina was a beloved sister, aunt, mother and friend and we are appealing for help in identifying the two people in the footage.
“So far our enquiries have been negative so we are appealing for the public’s assistance. Someone will know who these two individuals are. Please, if you know them or if that is you in the picture, do the right thing and contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has information that could identify the people on the moped is asked to call 101 (24 hours) or the Serious Collision Investigation Unit witness line on 020 8543 5157 – please quote 5566/16JAN.
