The driver used his car to try and save Yasmin Chkaifi from being stabbed by her stalker ex-husband.
Image source, Yasmin Chkaifi
A driver who used his car to try to stop a woman being stabbed by her stalker ex-husband in west London has been released without charge.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder and later bailed after Leon McCaskre, 41, died when he was hit while killing Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, in Maida Vale.
The Met said after reviewing evidence it had been the decided the 26-year-old would face no further police action.
“He is considered a vital witness to our investigation,” the force added.
Ms Chkaifi, 43, was attacked near both her and her abusive ex-husband’s homes on the morning of 24 January.
‘Terrifying situation’
At an inquest hearing earlier, Det Ch Insp Neil Rawlinson said: “Leon McCaskie and Yasmin Chkaifi had been in a relationship that ended several years ago. There were allegations of domestic abuse, and a stalking prevention order had been put in place against Leon.”
The coroner, Prof Fiona Wilcox, gave her sympathy to her family, saying: “This is a truly shocking and distressing death and I cannot imagine what you must be going through at this time.”
Image source, PA Media
In an update to the case, provided after the inquest hearing, Det Ch Insp Rawlinson said it was “vitally important that when a person dies there is a thorough investigation into all of the circumstances and this has taken place”.
He added that the arrested man had been “offered support from professionals to help him come to terms with the terrifying situation he was confronted with”.
Post-mortem examinations found that Ms Chkaifi died from multiple stab injuries, while Mr McCaskre’s cause of death was multiple injuries.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has begun an independent investigation into the Met’s contact with Ms Chkaifi in the weeks leading up to her death, following a referral from the force.
The inquests into the deaths of Ms Chkaifi and Mr McCaskre are to be reviewed on 25 July.
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