Found knifed to death, mum of 4 who missed school run
A MOTHER of four was found stabbed to death after she failed to turn up at school to pick up her children.
Police launched a murder investigation after the body of Avan Najmadeen, 32, was discovered at the home she shared with her four young sons.
Teachers raised the alarm when she did not arrive at the school gates, and police later forced their way into the home she had recently moved into in Stoke-on-Trent.
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder. A man from Wigan and a man from Liverpool, both aged 33, were held yesterday.
Another man, aged 35 and also from Wigan, was arrested on Wednesday. All three remained in police custody last night.
Miss Najmadeen, who is thought to be originally from Iraq, was found at her home at around 5pm on Monday.
Her four sons are believed to be aged between four and 11. It is understood that relatives living nearby are caring for the children. Neighbours said Miss Najmadeen had moved into the threebedroom
semi-detached home just over two months ago and had been busy redecorating.
One woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘She seemed really nice.
‘You would see her working hard to make the house nice while her four boys were playing in the garden.
‘They were no trouble, I never heard
a raised voice or saw anything to worry me. There was a man who I had seen at the house, but I don’t know if he was her partner. The first I knew about what had happened was when the police cars and ambulances all arrived.’
‘She did not arrive at school to pick up the children. They became worried and the police came around to check. That’s when they found her.’
She added: ‘I can’t stop thinking about it and about her poor boys who have lost their mother.’
Miss Najmadeen’s next door neighbour, David Richards, 66, said: ‘She’d moved in about 12 weeks ago. I had spoken to her a few times. She was a nice girl.
‘She told me she was originally from Iraq. She had four little lads and the last time I saw her was Friday when she was just taking them to school. It was quiet at the weekend, so I thought she and the kids must have gone away. I’m shocked by all this.’
Detective Inspector Victoria Downing, from Staffordshire Police’s major and organised crime team, said: ‘Inquiries into Avan’s tragic death are continuing.’