Beheaded in her home
Mother of two mutilated after ‘row with estranged husband’ who then turns knife on himself
A MOTHER of two was found beheaded at her home yesterday after an apparent row with her estranged husband.
The headless body of Judith Nibbs – who cared for the elderly and vulnerable – was discovered at the marital home after neighbours told police they were concerned for her welfare.
Detectives who went to the property were greeted by horrific scenes in the flat, situated near the million-pound homes of the trendy Shoreditch area of London.
They found the 60-year- old victim had been decapitated, while her estranged husband Dempsey Nibbs, 67, had apparently turned the knife on himself causing serious injuries.
Last night he was still in a critical condition after being taken to hospital at 5am yesterday.
Police were last night waiting to quiz him over the death.
Mrs Nibbs, who lived on the Charles Square Estate in Shoreditch, had worked for Hackney Borough Council for six years providing meals on wheels for the elderly, in addition to caring for her disabled daughter.
Neighbours yesterday paid tribute to the devoted carer. Dean Cummings, 28, who has lived on the estate since he was born, said: ‘I’ve known her all my life. She was a nice lady and didn’t have a bad word to say about anybody.
‘She was always happy with a smile on her face. She had a disabled daughter and an older son who’s about 25.
‘She worked for her kids. The daughter’s in a home. Who’s going to bankroll that now? It’s just so sad. I’ve never seen her with a partner.’
Andrew Pemberton, 42, who lives in the same block as the
‘Kept herself
to herself’
low rise apartment block, said: ‘I think she worked for Hackney Council meals on wheels. I used to see her going to work in a high-visibility vest.
‘It’s just terrible on your own doorstep. She has a son and a daughter but didn’t have a partner as far as I knew.’ Yesterday detectives were searching bins surrounding her ground floor flat looking for the weapon.
One man, who lives next door to the woman and her 29-yearold son, said he was woken at about 4. 30am by police shouting.
The 27-year- old man who wanted only to be known as Cihan, said: ‘They were banging on my door and jumping on the bins to get over the back garden.
‘They just said a “serious inci- dent” was going on. She kept herself to herself and hardly seemed to go out.’
No arrests have been made, but police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.
Next of ki n have been informed, but the woman has not been formally identified.
A post-mortem examination is expected to take place early next week.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘A murder investigation has been launched in Hackney.
‘Police were called by paramedics at around 5am to Charles Square Estate following concerns for the welfare of a resident.
‘Officers attended and found a 60-year-old woman deceased at the location.
‘Formal identification is yet to take place. Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.
‘A 67-year-old man was taken by ambulance to an east London hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
‘There have been no arrests. Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.’