Police called to the murder of a Lewisham pensioner - named this afternoon as Florisse Corette - were let into her house by a woman "covered in blood", neighbours say.

Officers cordoned off a house in Lochaber Road yesterday afternoon (July 8) after a fight left Ms Corette, 81, seriously injured. She died later in hopspital. 

Another woman, aged in her 50s and believed to be Ms Corette's daughter, was also injured. She was taken by ambulance to a south London hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

A forensics team was seen going in and out of the property yesterday and a lone police officer was on duty outside this morning (July 9). Broken glass littered the front step of the home.

News Shopper:

One neighbour said: "There was a disturbance in the morning. Someone was chucking stuff out on to the street."

He went on: "Later the police turned up. A woman opened the door who was covered in blood.

"The police came in and I think there was someone in the house who needed serious medical attention."

Neighbours said Ms Corette had lived in the house since the 1970s but eventually three of her four children moved out, leaving her living with just her daughter.

One neighbour said: "They kept themselves to themselves but they didn't seem to get on. Her son was in and out of there a lot."

They added: "We'd very often hear the daughter ranting at the mother, really two or three times a day. They weren't very friendly."

News Shopper:

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken into custody at a south London police station.

The Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

Detective Inspector Simon Deefholts, who is leading the investigation, said: "At this early stage all parties are believed be known to each other, and we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation at this time."

"We are appealing to people who many have seen a man outside or near to the address at Lochaber Road sometime between 8.30am and 10.30am."

"Also if anyone may have recorded footage of this man during that time, we would like them to come forward in order to assist us with our enquiries."
      
Any witnesses or anyone with any information that could assist police are asked to call the incident room in Putney on 020 8785 8099 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.