Family ask for help finding E17 serial rapist

The family of Michelle Samaraweera who was murdered by a suspected serial rapist have appealed to the public to help find the killer before he attacks again.
The body of 35 year old Michelle was discovered in the small park and play area in Queens Road at 5AM on May 30th.  She had been strangled and raped.

Her older sister Ann Chandradasa said: “We are sickened by what has happened to our baby sister. Michelle was the youngest and we always protected and shielded her.
“Nobody deserves for this to happen and to end up dumped in a children’s playground is just sickening.”
The 37-year-old mother-of-two urged anyone with information about the murder or the two sexual assaults in the Walthamstow area with which it has been linked to come forward.

Anyone with information should call 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detective Superintendent Vic Rae said: “He has attacked three women in three months and we have got to do everything within our powers to apprehend him before he strikes again. Our concern is that he will strike again before the end of the month.”

MAP: Sightings and previous rape’s in E17 case

The first attack took place at an address close to Queens Road on March 24th when a 59-year-old woman was forced inside her home and raped.
The second, in which a 46-year-old woman was attacked in an alleyway off Lea Bridge Road, took place in the early hours of April 22.

Speaking on behalf of her mother and two other sisters, Mrs Chandradasa said: “We just need information about the man who did this. My sister has been murdered and two women have been attacked.
“There could be other women out there who have been attacked but haven’t come forward and they could help solve this.

Investigators believe whoever raped and murdered Ms Samaraweera lives nearby.

They have begun house-to-house inquiries and are asking anyone who matches the suspect’s description to provide a sample of DNA.

The suspect has been described as of Asian appearance, or with dark skin, and is aged between 30 and 40 years.
Detective Superintendent Vic Rae, who is leading the investigation, said previously: “The DNA test is designed solely to apprehend the individual responsible for Michelle’s brutal murder and the two linked sexual assaults.
“Much consideration and planning has gone into this decision and we feel this is the quickest and most comprehensive way to eliminate men from our investigation.“
Police have also released two CCTV stills of Ms Samaraweera captured at a branch of Somerfield, in Markhouse Road, shortly before her death.

Waltham Forest borough commander Chief Superintendent Mark Benbow said patrols have been stepped up but women must be “especially vigilant”.
Two men arrested on May 30 have been released with no further action. A further two men arrested the next day have been bailed until July pending further inquiries.
Anyone with information should call 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.

BBC News: Fear on the streets after Murder