Kirandeep Kaur was stabbed to death as she lay in bed with her husband and their three-month-old baby in Hayes, west London, on the morning of July 12. The 24-year-old, who had moved to the UK from India in September 2024 on a student visa, suffered a stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 8.26am.
Her sister Gursharan, 21, speaking from the family’s home in Tarn Taran, Punjab, told BBC London: “She is everything for me, she video calls me and my mum. What are we going to do without her?” Gursharan said Kirandeep had come to London to study at Buckinghamshire New University and then worked at a grocery store to support her family. “She was my world. My heart hurts,” she added.
“Kirandeep Kaur, 24, stabbed to death in her bed alongside husband and baby; family demands justice and return of her body.”
Kirandeep’s mother, Baljeet, told ITV News: “We send them somewhere safe to study then this happens. We didn’t realise hooliganism and violence is happening there too. We want justice, we want our daughter’s body returned from Hayes.” Her brother Gurvinder Singh said the family found out only on Friday and were “shocked”.
Daniel Sean James, 46, of Pinner, west London, has been charged with her murder, attempted murder and possessing a blade. Prosecutor Charlene Sumnall told the Old Bailey that James allegedly walked through a playing field in Hayes dressed all in black and carrying a large knife, caught on CCTV approaching three addresses before stabbing a man in his 20s in the back. Minutes later, at about 7.51am, he kicked at the door of Kirandeep’s home and broke in while the family slept. Her husband awoke to a scream and saw a figure leaving the bedroom. James left by jumping out of a window, breaking both ankles, then collapsed after 10 metres. Both victims were strangers to him.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC set a plea hearing for October 1 and a provisional three-week trial from April 5 next year. James was remanded into custody.
Vigils have been held by the Sikh community in the area. A GoFundMe page set up by Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall Gurdwara has raised more than £34,600 for funeral arrangements and repatriation of Kirandeep’s body to India. Her sister said: “I haven’t seen her since she left in 2024. I want her to come home so I can see her one last time. My parents want to see her one last time.”
