A mother-of-two killed in a knife attack in her north London home was a “happy, bubbly person with a heart of gold” who had just found out she was expecting her third child, her sister said.
Alana Odysseos, 32, was stabbed to death at her property in Lynmouth Road, Walthamstow, in the early hours of Monday.
She leaves behind two young daughters.
Ms Odysseos’ sister, Jasmine Yates, said she had just found out she was pregnant.
“She found out a couple of days ago. She was about four weeks - that's what she believed,” she told the Standard on Tuesday.“The day it happened, we were talking earlier that morning and she was so excited, talking about baby names and she was so excited to be a mum again.”
Ms Yates said the family is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, saying: “I’m feeling like I’m in a living nightmare.
“I had a dream last night that I spoke to Alana, and woke up feeling even more broken because she wasn’t there.”
She recalled having to break the news of her sister’s death to their mother.
“I’ve never ever heard my mum just scream and hyperventilate like that in my life,” said Ms Yates. “It was horrible.”
Ms Yates, 26, described Ms Odysseos as “kind” and “pure-hearted”. “She was such a happy, bubbly person,” she said. “She doted on her children. Being a mother was everything she ever wanted.
“You could always find her in her kitchen with her Alexa on full, listening to her rap music, singing along and dancing. She loved life, she loved those kids. She was such a good sister.”
Ms Yates said she wants justice for her sister, and is calling for the government to do more to tackle the rising issue of violence against women and girls.
“It’s what Alana would want,” she said. “It’s what she would be doing for me. That’s the kind of person she was. I just want to make her proud.
“I really want to keep her memory alive. I really, really want the government to take action and try to tackle this violence against women.”
Ms Odysseos, who formerly worked as an enforcement officer for a local council, grew up in Newmarket as the third of five children.
Ms Yates remembers her as a cheeky, confident older sister who loved music, and brightened he life of those around her.
She has launched a Gofundme page to help fund Ms Odysseos' funeral and lay her to rest in Newmarket, and to support her children.
Ms Odysseos’ friend, Katie Lake, shared a tribute to her on Facebook, writing: "You had your whole life ahead of you and baby Victoria.
"No words can express the pain in our hearts right now. Flight high beautiful shine bright Hope justice is served so you can rest in eternal peace."
Police were called to Ms Odysseos’ home in Lynmouth Road around 3am on Monday.
She was found suffering stab wounds and died at the scene, said the Met police in a statement.
Shaine March, 46, was charged with her murder on Tuesday morning and appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court later on Tuesday.
Police confirmed they knew each other.
March, of Rainsborough Avenue, Surrey Quays, south-east London, was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on July 25.
