First picture of ‘perfect neighbour’, 71, found dead by her landlord
Neighbours have paid tribute to a ‘super nice’ grandmother found with fatal injuries inside her west London flat.
Elena Poltorac, 71, suffered a series of injuries at her home on Bath Road, close to Heathrow airport.
Detectives launched a murder inquiry after the grandmother, originally from Tulcea, Romania, was declared dead.
Police were scrambled to her flat after her landlord raised the alarm at 10am on Sunday.
No arrests have been made in connection with the killing of the retired cleaner responsible for the world-famous Camden Market.
Forensics officers have scoured her top-floor flat, where she had lived for around two years, for clues.
Her neighbour Sohel Bhengra, 30, told Metro: ‘She was a super nice lady, really friendly and just the perfect neighbour.
‘She had been really happy because another person from her own country had moved into a flat here.
‘She was always smart, well-dressed and polite and we are all devastated that she has died. I could not imagine that anyone would want to hurt her.’
Bobby Singh, 42, who also lives in a flat in the house, told Metro: ‘The alarm was raised by the landlord who found her after she hadn’t been seen for a while.
‘She had been cheerful the last time I saw her and she was a lovely grandmother-type figure. She was always positive and happy.
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‘She had recently cooked a meal with some others in a communal kitchen, she was a caring, nice person.
‘I had seen children around there, they were her grandchildren, I think.
‘I just don’t understand how this could have happened.’
Police have been trawling through CCTV footage from the busy Bath Road, which is lined with cameras on shops and on the road.
They are trying to establish movements in and out of the flats which are above a catering business.
DCI Matthew Denby said: ‘This is a tragic incident in which a woman has lost her life.
‘We are working to establish the full circumstances of what happened, and we are keeping an open mind to pursue all lines of inquiry.
‘We urge anyone who was in the area of Bath Road, who may have seen or heard anything unusual, to come forward. Even small pieces of information can prove vital.’
The leader of Hounslow Council Shantanu Rajawat said: ‘I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of a 71‑year‑old woman earlier this week at a residential property on Bath Road, Hounslow.
‘My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends and all those affected by this shocking incident. ‘The Metropolitan Police have confirmed a murder investigation is now underway.’
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.