Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ilford stabbings: Children knifed to death in London named by police

'The ending of these innocent young lives is extraordinarily tragic and we are working hard to fully understand what may have cause this to happen,' say police

Kate Ng
Wednesday 29 April 2020 07:44 EDT
19-month-old Pavinya Nithiyakumar and three-year-old Nigish Nithiyakumar were found suffering knife wounds in their east London home
19-month-old Pavinya Nithiyakumar and three-year-old Nigish Nithiyakumar were found suffering knife wounds in their east London home (Metropolitan Police)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two young children who died after being stabbed in their home on Sunday have been named by police.

19-month-old Pavinya Nithiyakumar and three-year-old Nigish Nithiyakumar suffered serious knife wounds in the incident in Ilford on Sunday.

Police and the air ambulance were called to an address on Aldborough Road North at around 5.30pm on Sunday to reports of a man and two children being injured.

The baby girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Nigish was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service but died shortly after arrival.

The man, 40, also suffered a knife injury and was taken to hospital where he is in critical condition, said Scotland Yard. Officers remain in attendance at the hospital.

All three were known to each other, police added. The children’s mother is receiving support from specially trained officers.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and no formal arrests have been made.

Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall said: “The ending of these innocent young lives is extraordinarily tragic and we are working hard to fully understand what may have cause this to happen.

“Whilst I know the effects of this crime are reverberating throughout the local community, please be reassured that we are not seeking any other person(s) in connection with the deaths and there is no cause or the community to be fearful or alarmed.”

According to the PA news agency, neighbours said the family were of Sri Lankan descent. A neighbour who lives across the road from the house said the attack was “devastating” and “horrific". She said a woman could be heard screaming for help “like she was being tortured”.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police on 101 and quote CAD 5669/26 APR.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in