A woman has been charged with the murder of Jennifer Abbott, 69, who was found stabbed inside her home in Camden, north London last week, the Metropolitan Police said. Nancy Pexton, also 69, has been charged with murdering Ms Abbott, who was also known as Sarah Steinberg.

Ms Abbott’s body was found by her niece and neighbours, who broke her door down after her family failed to hear from her for several days. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma. Ms Pexton, of Gloucester Place in Westminster, is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday (June 20), according to the police.

Scotland Yard was called to a report of an unresponsive woman by the London Ambulance Service at 6pm last Friday, (June 13).

The Metropolitan Police said when officers arrived they found Ms Abbott with stab injuries and she was pronounced dead at the scene. It said Ms Abbott’s family is being supported by specialist officers.

Det Insp Barry Hart said in a statement issued by the Met yesterday: “Our deepest sympathies are with the victim’s loved ones who are being supported by specialist officers at this time.

“We thank the local community for their patience as we continue to investigate this shocking crime… There are several lines of enquiry ongoing and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of this incident.”

He added locals could expect to see an increased number of police officers in the neighbourhood while enquires continue.

Ch Supt Jason Stewart has said it was “incredibly important” the force hears from anyone who may have knowledge about how Ms Abbott’s “awful” death occurred.

He said in an appeal issued on Wednesday: “Were you out in Camden on Friday? Perhaps you had been coming home from work, or at an event nearby?

“Did you see or hear anything around Mornington Place that struck you as being unusual? Someone must have seen or heard something and no piece of information is too small.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or message MetCC on X, giving the reference 6470/13JUN.

To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.