A woman stabbed to death in south London has been named as a singer who starred on Britain’s Got Talent as part of an NHS choir following the death of her six-year-old son.
Simonne Kerr, a nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, was found suffering from knife wounds at a home in Battersea on Wednesday afternoon . She was pronounced dead soon after despite the efforts of paramedics.
The 31-year-old had appeared on Britain’s Got Talent months earlier as part of B Positive, an NHS choir set up for those affected by blood-related conditions.
Ms Kerr had previously revealed how her son Kavele died from sickle cell disease in 2015 at the age of six.
Her death marks the 90th murder investigation in the capital this year. Scotland Yard said a 40-year-old man called Demond Sylva had been charged with murder.
B Positive made it through to the Britain’s Got Talent final in June, where they moved the judges and audience to tears with a rendition of ‘Rise up’.
Ms Kerr joined the choir soon after the death of her son Kavele in order to raise awareness about blood conditions and the need for more donors.
In a blog on the NHS website, she said her son was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth but lived “as normal a life he could”.
She said he woke up at 5am one day with a high temperature and vomiting. “I gave Kavele medication and monitored him throughout the morning,” she said.
“However, he became more lethargic and I felt his condition was not improving so I called for an ambulance and was told we would have to wait up to 45 minutes. An hour later I telephoned 999 again because Kavele's breathing became more laboured.
“Kavele went into cardiac arrest approximately 20 - 30 minutes after several ambulance crews started to arrive. He did not recover and passed away in hospital several hours later."
In the post, the nurse added that she wanted more black people specifically to come forward as blood donors.
She added: “Singing can be such an uplifting experience so joining the B Positive choir seemed the obvious way to raise awareness of the urgent need for more young and black people to give blood while doing something positive and motivational.”
A Britain's Got Talent spokesman offered condolences to her family, and added: "We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear that Simonne Kerr has died."
Police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation into her murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3183/15Aug or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
