This is the first picture of a “loving” student who was stabbed to death in her west London flatshare just days before returning home to India to get married.
The victim named by heartbroken family as engineering graduate Tejaswini Kontham, 27, was found dying from knife wounds in her home in Neeld Crescent, Wembley at 10am on Tuesday.
A second woman believed to be her friend, aged 28, was also knifed repeatedly in the attack.
She was rushed to hospital where her injuries were declared not life-threatening.
A 23-year-old Brazilian man, from the same address, was arrested in Harrow at around 6pm the same day.
Ms Kontham’s father told a local TV channel in Hyderabad, India that Ms Kontham had travelled to London three years ago to study for her master’s degree at the University of Greenwich.
He said she came home for a month in August last year and was supposed to come back again for her wedding.
“She said she will return after [the wedding plans] were finalised. She had resigned from her temporary job,” he claimed.
Through tears, her mother told reporters: “She was supposed to come home in a few more days.” She urged British authorities to move quickly and repatriate her daughter’s body back to Hyderabad.
Her brother set up a Gofundme to raise £20,000 to support the family and bring the Master’s graduate home.
He said: “I have lost my loving sister in an incident of double-stabbing... [Our] father was an electrical engineer who after going through an accident, had to become unemployed and mother is a house-maker.
“I request you to consider the situation and help me and my family, as much as possible so that we can process the transport as soon as possible.”
A University of Greenwich spokesperson said: “We are appalled to hear about the terrible murder of Tejaswini, who graduated from our university last year. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Keven Antonio Lourenco De Morais, 23, of Neeld Crescent, Wembley was charged on Thursday with the murder of Ms Kontham and the attempted murder of the second woman.
Two other people arrested in connection with this investigation were released with no further action.
DCI Linda Bradley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This has been a fast-moving investigation and I would like to thank the public for sharing our appeal for information about this man. He is now in custody.
“I recognise the significant concern this incident has caused in the community and I would like to reassure the public that a dedicated team of detectives are working to establish what happened.
“Local officers will remain in the area over the coming days to respond to any concerns.”
A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.
