A mother whose son was stabbed to death in 2012 has issued an appeal to fund her former foster daughter's funeral after she died in 'unexplained' circumstances in Abbey Wood.

Caroline Shearer, from Clacton, Essex, said she has been left "heartbroken" after 18-year-old Natasha Hill was found dead after suffering serious injuries at an address in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been bailed until later this month. Now, Mrs Shearer has set up a fundraising page to help Natasha's family cover the costs of laying her to rest.

Mrs Shearer, whose son Jay Whiston was killed outside a house party six years ago, fostered Natasha for three years at her family home in Clacton.

After Jay's death, Natasha was moved to a different family when care workers expressed concerns about the high-profile media coverage placed on the family.

She said: “Natasha was my foster child. She went through so much, but she was smart, loving and caring.

“The night my son Jay was murdered she was so upset - she loved him."

Mrs Shearer claims Natasha "begged" to return to the family home several times after the media coverage had died down, but she was not allowed to return.

“It really did affect her. She should have been able to come back after six months when it settled down a bit.

“Two weeks ago we were notified she had died and it was to become another murder investigation,” she continued.

According to Mrs Shearer, Natasha's family "do not know what to do" since her death.

“They have no funds, just what they live on, let alone to find money for a funeral.

“I am calling on everyone I know to help donate so Natasha can be laid to rest by her family.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed detectives are investigating the death.

He said: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 4.22am on April 15 to a seriously injured woman at an address in Sewell Road.

"The 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"We await formal identification and confirmation that next of kin have been informed.

"A post-mortem examination commenced on April 15, but was inconclusive. Officers await the outcome of further tests.

"At this early stage the death is being treated as unexplained."