23 Year Old Woman Murdered in Lavendar Hill Named

Family describe Gemma Dorman as " beautiful, charming, sweet..."

The family of 23 year Gemma Dorman who was murdered on Thursday have spoken of their hartbreak at her death;

"Words can not describe the feelings of loss we have. Gemma was a beautiful, charming, sweet, popular, funny, charismatic and loving daughter, sister, aunt and granddaughter. You were so full of life and so cruelly robbed of it. Gemma we hope your wonderful free spirit has found peace"

The police are searching for a man seen at the crime of the murder on Thursday. He has been described as dark-skinned, with short dark hair, in his mid 20s wearing a dark shirt and jeans.


At 9.30pm on Thursday 31st July Police were called to a woman stabbed in Lavender Hill SW11 near the junction with Basnett Road. The London Ambulance Service attended and she was taken to a south London hospital where she was confirmed deceased at 10.30pm.

A post mortem is expected on Saturday 2nd August - An incident room has opened under DCI Damien Allain from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command. No arrests have as yet been made but police believe this was not a "stranger" attack.

At this early stage the police are retaining an open mind re: the circumstances and motive, but it appears there was an incident in the street with a man who subsequently made off on foot. A knife has been recovered in the area but it is not clear if this was the weapon.

This would have been a busy area at this time of the evening and we would appeal for anyone who witnessed anything to call the Information room on 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

August 3, 2008