In a tragic incident in northwest London, 66-year-old Indian-origin grandmother Anita Mukhey was stabbed to death by 22-year-old Jalal Debella. The attack occurred at a bus stop in the Edgware area on May 9. Debella appeared via video link from His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh at a court hearing on August 6, facing charges of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Anita Mukhey, a part-time medical secretary for the NHS, was attacked without provocation while waiting for a bus. Prosecutor Philip McGhee described the assault as “entirely random and unprovoked.” During the brief court hearing, Debella confirmed his name and date of birth but did not enter a plea. The proceedings were adjourned due to an incomplete psychiatric assessment.
Eyewitnesses reported that Debella initially walked past Mukhey, sat on a nearby bench, and later approached her. After a brief exchange, he slapped and punched her before pulling out a knife and stabbing her multiple times. Despite attempts by bystanders to assist, Mukhey succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The preliminary cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force injuries.
Debella was apprehended in Colindale on the same day as the attack. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on November 6. The case continues as the court awaits further psychiatric evaluation of the accused.
