Killer may have tricked his way into home

Detectives hunting the murderer of an 85-year-old grandmother are investigating whether the killer tricked his victim to gain entry to her house.

Anne Mendel, 85, who was deaf, was stabbed to death by a burglar at her terrace home in Golders Green on Monday morning. Her husband, Leonard, 80, found her body when he returned from a shopping errand.

Mr Mendel has told police that the couple were targeted by burglars pretending to be police officers six weeks ago. Mrs Mendel was buried in a ceremony attended by her husband, son and daughter last night. She had nine grandchildren.

A family friend said: "She was a frail woman unable to resist a burglar. What nobody can understand is why the burglar stabbed her."