First picture of Sikh mum, 24, stabbed to death in what parents fear was ‘racist attack’

This is the first picture of a Sikh woman allegedly stabbed to death when a knifeman burst into her home as she slept.

Kirandeep Kaur, 24, had given birth just a few weeks ago when she was attacked in Uxbridge Road on Sunday morning.

The victim, who had moved to the United Kingdom nearly two years ago on a student visa, was later granted a work permit and had been living and working there.

Metropolitan Police

Kirandeep’s father Sukhdev Singh and mother Baljeet Kaur sold all of their farmland in the Punjab, India so she could move to the UK and study.

They hoped she would build a better future for the family and eventually help her siblings settle overseas.

They told local media PTC News that an unidentified assailant entered her bedroom and attacked her with a sharp-edged weapon in what they believed was a racist attack.

Her parents demanded that their daughter’s body be brought back to India and that those responsible for her death be brought to justice.

Her brother-in-law, Sahib, was at the crime scene on Monday. He told Metro: ‘She had just had a baby. The family were so happy. We are heartbroken. She was a wonderful mother.’

Sahib’s brother, who is married to Kiran, was also injured and is recovering with family, he claimed.

Meanwhile the victim’s neighbor, Ruby, described her as a ‘friendly, smiley young mum’ who doted on her newborn baby.

She told Metro: ‘She was really nice, just a smiley, friendly young lady. I can’t imagine why this would have happened.

‘I didn’t hear anything overnight, but then, first thing in the morning, there were police everywhere.

‘She had just had a baby very recently. She looked so happy being a mum.

‘The baby is so cute and we were all so pleased for the mum. We are all heartbroken.’

Kirandeep’s place of worship, Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall, said they were ‘deeply saddened and shocked by the heinous murder’.

They said: ‘The loss of a young life in such violent circumstances has profoundly affected our congregation and the wider community. Every person has the right to live free from violence and fear, and incidents such as this leave lasting scars on families and neighborhoods alike.

‘We call upon the authorities to ensure that this case is investigated thoroughly, transparently and with the utmost diligence so that justice is served for Kirandeep and her family.’

A Met spokesperson said: ‘Although there is no evidence this was a hate crime at this stage, investigators are keeping an open mind and exploring every line of enquiry.’

Daniel Sean James, 44, of Mercer Place, Pinner, was charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.