Was this young actress pushed to her death from 19th f loor of luxury City block of f lats?
AN ASPIRING actress and singer may have been pushed to her death from a luxury apartment block, police fear.
Bethany-Maria Beales, 22, plunged from a 19th floor glass balcony while visiting a friend over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The graduate died from catastrophic injuries when she landed on a glass-covered walkway 13 floors below.
She had travelled across London to The Heron – an exclusive 35- storey building in the City – where properties cost up to £10million.
Detectives arrested a man and a woman, both 38, at the scene on suspicion of murder after being alerted by paramedics.
Last night, Miss Beales’s family, who live in St Helens, Merseyside, were too upset to discuss her death.
But in a statement, they said: ‘ Beth was a kind, funny, loyal, intelligent, talented and stunningly beautiful person who changed the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her and lucky enough to be loved by her. She was more than a daughter, grand-daughter, niece, cousin, step-sister, step-auntie, goddaughter or friend. She was the world to us all.
‘She had the brightest smile and the most beautiful singing voice.
‘She was our songbird. She had an amazing talent that, if it had been seen by the world, would have become known to millions.
‘To say we will miss her does not come close to describing how we feel. Our world will never be as bright again now that our shining star has gone.’
Police were called to The Heron building on Saturday lunchtime after residents rang for an ambulance.
The newly built tower block has a 24hour concierge service and includes a garden terrace, private club, cinema and gym.
Miss Beales’s body was found on the roof of a sixth floor glass staircase linking the complex to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
City of London Police officers arrested the man and woman on suspicion of Damage: The glass roof (circled) Miss Beales is thought to have fallen on murder. They have since been released but remain under investigation.
Despite the soaring violence across London, this is the first murder inquiry in three years for the specific City of London police force.
According to photos posted online, Miss Beales recently graduated in drama and English literature from the University of Roehampton, in south west London.
Writing on one site aged 18, she described herself as an ‘ actor, extra, dancer, teacher/choreographer, singer.’
For the past few months she had been working as a sales executive and promoter for a popular Soho bar.
Hours before her death she posted on Facebook about being overwhelmed at seeing Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name The Weeknd. She had also strongly criticised the promoter of a Soho celebrity haunt for refusing to allow her in to the club, a decision apparently based on her appearance and weight.
Her friend Joe Kozak paid tribute to Miss Beales, writing online: ‘In the blink of an eye life can be taken from us.
‘You were a beautiful, intelligent, funny and sassy individual who many called a friend.
‘You will be sorely missed and the world has lost a little bit of its glitter. Sleep tight and fly high.’
Another friend Suzie Ozcan described Miss Beales as ‘the most kind-hearted, beautiful soul I had ever met’.
She added: ‘I am so sad to see this
‘She was the world to us’
‘Beautiful and intelligent’
news. Such a young and talented soul!’ Appealing for witnesses, Detective Chief Inspector Edelle Michaels said: ‘We would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to Bethany’s family and friends at this difficult time and reassure them we are doing everything we can to determine the circumstances of this tragic incident.
‘Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or may have information which can assist our investigation is asked to contact police as soon as possible.
‘We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the Heron building, or the vicinity, on Saturday that may have seen or heard something.’