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Mother and chef die days after Notting Hill Carnival attacks

Published

4 months ago

August 31, 2024

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Mother and chef die days after Notting Hill Carnival attacks

Two people have died after being attacked in separate incidents during Notting Hill Carnival over the bank holiday weekend.

Cher Maximen, 32, was at the event last Sunday with her child when she was stabbed. She died on Saturday morning.

Police said officers gave emergency treatment to Ms Maximen until paramedics arrived. She was then taken to hospital in a critical condition.

“Cher was at carnival with her young child,” Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, of the Met’s Homicide Command, said.

“We have been in close contact with our local authority partners and Cher’s family since soon after this incident to make sure the child is safe and looked after.”

Mussie Imnetu, who was visiting the UK on business, was attacked in a separate incident.

The 41-year-old chef, a Swedish national who lived and worked in Dubai, was found unconscious with a head injury in Queensway, on Monday evening.

Mr Imnetu, who previously worked under celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, leaves behind an eight-year-old son.

“He was a keen footballer and famously counted on his now eight-year-old son to taste test his culinary masterpieces,” said his employer, The Arts Club.

“Known for his passion, calm demeanour and kindness, Mussie truly embodied the club’s essence,” a statement said. “His legacy will live on through the passion and excellence he instilled in those around him.”

Mr Imnetu worked as the private members’ club’s head chef at The Brasserie Dubai, which opened in 2020, after joining The Arts Club London in 2011.

Marie-Claire Accordino, an influencer from Dubai, has also paid tribute.

She said: “I knew Mussie as a patron of The Arts Club in Dubai, he was a very well-liked and respected individual. He was a kind man, he will be missed by his fellow staff and the patrons, we are devastated to hear this news.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the deaths were “heart-breaking” and called the violence “shocking, completely unacceptable and a betrayal of the values that [Notting Hill] Carnival was founded to celebrate”.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said news of the deaths was “deeply distressing and shocking”, adding: “This terrible and appalling violence has no place on our streets.”

Shakiel Thibou, 20, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with the attempted murder of Ms Maximen. He has been remanded in custody.

Omar Wilson, 31, has been charged with causing Mr Imnetu grievous bodily harm with intent and remanded in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie said: “Mussie’s family, friends and colleagues in London, Dubai, Sweden and Eritrea are inconsolable after receiving the worst news imaginable.”

Police said they are keen to talk to anyone who can help piece together Mr Imnetu’s movements between 1pm, when he left The Arts Club in Dover Street, Mayfair, and when he arrived at Dr Power restaurant, in Queensway, west London, at about 10.30pm.

He was wearing a blue T-shirt and black jeans and is said to have bought a white baseball cap before arriving alone at the restaurant.

“If you visited the restaurant between 10pm and 11.30pm on Monday night or were in the area and saw something, regardless of the reason you were there, please do get in touch,” DCI Howie said.

Notting Hill Carnival’s organisers said they were “shocked by these tragic deaths”.

“We stand together against all violence and condemn these acts, which are against all carnival values and the millions of people who come in celebration of them,” they said.