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Family's moving tribute to 'dedicated' doctor stabbed to death outside her home
Last updated at 15:22pm on 16.08.07
Dr Victoria Anyetei was stabbed multiple times outside her home
The family of a paediatrician stabbed to death outside her home, have described her as a "dedicated mother and loving sister".
Dr Victoria Anyetei was killed as she set off for work on Tuesday, leaving her family devasted.
Dr Anyetei's family said: "We are very shocked and upset and feel a great loss.
"Victoria was a very kind hearted and helpful woman who was a dedicated mother and loving sister.
"She was loved deeply by all of us and will be terribly missed."
Dr Anyetei worked as a locum consultant paediatrician at St Thomas' Hospital, London and was previously a senior registrar there during her paediatric training.
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Nephew David Anyetei has paid tribute to his murdered aunt and said the family 'was at a loss' without her
Her colleagues also paid their tributes describing her as having a "lovely warm manner".
Devout Christian Dr Victoria Anyetei's killer is believed to have lain in wait outside her front door - possibly hiding in the back seat of her car - before pouncing as she left for work.
The 53-year -old consultant was stabbed multiple times all over her body as she sat in her Toyota Avensis which was parked in her driveway in the quiet cul-de-sac.
Her blood splattered body lay undiscovered in the front seat of the car - with the door shut - for over two hours and was found by her teenage son when he left the house.
A neighbour in the new built estate in Dartford, Kent, told how he heard 'blood curdling screams' as he made the grim discovery.
He said: "I heard this really loud, anguished yell. I ran outside and saw him on the driveway of his home.
"He was going mad, just staring at his mum's car. Then I saw Victoria. She was behind the wheel with her head rocked back. Blood was everywhere.
"Other neighbours were comforting him, but he was still screaming. It was pandemonium. The blood was all coming out of her neck. She was covered in blood.
"I will never be able to get that image out of my head. It was horrendous."
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St Thomas's Hospital in London, where Dr Victoria Anyetei worked
Police are now considering the possibility that the paediatrician was killed by a disgruntled patient.
Kent Police Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge said it was "a truly extraordinary crime".
The area commander for Dartford and Gravesham said: "These things hardly ever happen: a middle-aged, professional, well-respected, upstanding, devout Christian member of the community attacked in a frenzied way and struck down in broad daylight."
He said officers would be investigating the possibility that she may have been killed by a former patient, or the parent of a former patient, with a grudge against her.
He said: "That particular aspect will be looked at and it will be looked at in some detail.
A police officer stands guard outside the home of Dr Victoria Anyetei. The popular paediatrician was stabbed on her driveway
"It would appear from the evidence we have so far that Dr Anyetei was specifically targeted, quite possibly attacked from behind and suffered multiple stab wounds across her body."
Police have a team of 20 officers dedicated to the case.
A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "Detectives working on the case are following a number of lines of inquiry.
"The motive for the murder remains unclear and the inquiry team continues to keep an open mind as to the reason for the attack."
Police appealed for witnesses and asked neighbours to check their gardens in case the killer discarded a weapon.
Anyone with information can contact Kent Police on 01634 884 011.
Reader views (13)
Accept my sympathy for the loss of Dr. Victoria Anyetei. She was a wonderful lady. She was in Form 5 when I was in Form 2 at Swedru Secondar School in Ghana over 30 years ago.
May the good Lord take care of you all.
- Pastor Abraham Wentum, Arlington, Texas, USA, 24/09/2007 03:21
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This is such a tragic loss. Dr Victoria Anyetei was my auntie and I loved her very much, I have only met her a few times in my life, and she was always warm and loving towards me and my siblings. She is one of the most caring and generous persons I have ever met. Her death is such a shame as I always wanted to meet her and Andrew again, to get to know them much better. Her death is heartbreaking and is a tremendous loss to the entire family. She is missed tremendously and will remain in all of our hearts and I'm smilling cause I know she is smiling and looking down from Heaven.
- Gilbert Anyetei(Jnr), Johannesburg,South Africa, 19/08/2007 17:12
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I am angry this has happened. What a tragic loss of life. I read about this on my way home from work yesterday and it upset me. It's truly sickening. So many glowing tributes havd been made by those who knew her. My thoughts go out to her son, as he must be going through a very traumatic time at the moment. But also my condolences go out to her relatives and friends.
- Colin Simpson, London, England, 17/08/2007 14:00
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Truly unfortunate and unfair. Poor boy to find his mum like this. A real tragedy for the community at large.
- Fiona, Surrey, 17/08/2007 08:22
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I had the pleasure of working with Victoria at St Thomas's. She was an inspiration to her colleagues, a single parent dedicated to her role as mother and doctor. She reached the top of her profession. Her wise words and infectious laugh will be sorely missed by all. God bless and give Antony the strength to get through this difficult time
- Matt Garner, London, 16/08/2007 20:59
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I wonder why God allows such a thing to happen to his children some times...just look at the nice things pple are saying about her, why should she be the one? Well God knows best. My deepest condolences to her relatives.
- Edwin Elorm, Ghana, 16/08/2007 19:14
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This is very pathetic. May her soul rest in peace but Ghanaians would like the Police to bring the killers to book if possible and they should get to the bottom of this.
- Baffour, Accra, Ghana, 16/08/2007 17:10
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Absolutely shocking! May God grant her son strength and the Grace to bear this loss.
- Chris, London, 16/08/2007 17:09
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My thoughts and heart goes out to Victoria Anyetei's son, being so young and not having a mother now. I hope he has the support and courage to get through this very hard time, and hope the police get his mother's killer.
- Lucy, Dartford, 16/08/2007 15:19
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This is a heartbreaking story. Dr Aneyeti lived near to me, and I recall seeing her at Dartford Station on a few occassions. I don't understand how someone could do such a horrific thing. It shows us that people of this day and age have no respect at all, not even for something as precious as life. It truly disgusts me. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
- Claire, Dartford, 16/08/2007 13:43
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This comes as a big blow to the junior paediatricians for whom Dr. Aneyeti was a guiding light and an ideal. I am one of her former trainees. coming from an overseas country I was guided well by Dr. Aneyeti. She always had words of encouragement and support. Not knowing how to use a dictaphone to dictate clinic letters, I was embarassed to ask my seniors however Dr Aneyeti took me aside and taught me how to use it. She was very supportive towards the trainees. On one occasion when there was a particularly difficult procedure being done on the wards she called a junior who was off on that day so that she would have an opportunity to learn the procedure. That was Dr, Aneyeti for you.
My prayers are with the poor boy who has been orphaned for no reason.
- Preetha Purushothaman, London, 16/08/2007 09:47
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This is truly sad. I work as a civil servant and I've endured threats and physical assault from members of the public. Its becoming as though one can't do their job without being put in danger for it.
I sometimes feel that common decency and simple manners are severely lacking in our society. And that it excuses those amongst us who lack them. God be with her family.
- Nomad, London, 15/08/2007 23:27
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This is truly sad. My heart goes out to the son who had to see his mother in that way.
- Vic, London, 15/08/2007 19:13
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