A 66-year-old grandmother who was "devoted to her family" was recalled after she passed away in north London following an attack by a man who allegedly attempted to take her purse.

Anita Mukhey passed away on Thursday following a stabbing on Burnt Oak Broadway, close to the intersection of Limesdale Gardens in Edgware.

In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, her family stated: “Anita Mukhey, 66 years old, was a married mother and grandmother devoted to her family, who also worked part-time in the NHS as a medical secretary.

“The family ask for privacy at this difficult time.”

Jalal Debella, 22, allegedly showed up at the Willesden magistrates' court in northwest London on Saturday, where he was charged with murder and possessing an offensive weapon—a knife, according to the police.

Debella, of Colindale, north-west London, was told to report from detention on Tuesday for an initial hearing at the Old Bailey. Pleas were not entered.

At around 11:50 a.m. on Thursday, the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance were summoned along with the police. Ms. Mukhey passed away at the scene after receiving treatment for knife wounds.

The PA news agency saw video showing onlookers swarming to her help immediately following the event.

The Met urged people not to share it online. The force said on X: “A small number of social media users have posted graphic footage of the attack.

“It is enormously distressing for grieving families. We ask that these posts are deleted and others not to share them.”

Jess Bloom, who was working at a hair salon opposite the scene, told The Times: “It happened at the bus stop and the woman ended up in the middle of the road.

“The guy was trying to get her handbag, but she said ‘no’ and fought back. I saw her pull the handbag twice. He pulled her into the road and stabbed her three times.

“He let go of her and she dropped to the ground. She was covered in blood and his hand was red. He ran off and everyone ran to the woman to help her. I heard the scream.”

A man who works nearby and did not want to give his name said: “I heard this awful screaming so I ran outside and the woman was on the floor. The man who did it walked away really slowly, really calmly at first, but then people started shouting at him and he ran.”

Another female onlooker said: “I saw the whole thing. He tried to mug her. The man tried to grab her bag and she resisted – an instinct, probably, trying to save her things.”

DCI Alex Gammampila, who is leading the investigation, stated: “I know that the effects of this incident will be felt throughout the local community and would like to reassure everyone that a man is in custody and we are not looking for any other suspects.

“We are working hard to establish the full circumstances and motive for this offence, which we believe to be an isolated incident.”