Annabel Rook, co-founder of charity MamaSuze and tireless advocate for refugee and migrant women, was killed in a gas explosion and stabbing at her home in Stoke Newington. Police treat the incident as domestic-related amid rising concerns over local violent crime.
Annabel Rook, a 46-year-old woman devoted to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, tragically lost her life following a gas explosion and stabbing at her home in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north London. She was found injured just before 5am on Tuesday and despite paramedics’ efforts, she could not be resuscitated at the scene. The horrific incident has left her family and local community in mourning, as they pay tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to helping others, particularly refugee and migrant women fleeing domestic violence.
Rook co-founded MamaSuze, a charity known for its work involving art and drama activities to support refugee and migrant women survivors of forced displacement and gender-based violence. Her family released a statement describing her as a deeply compassionate and wonderful woman who “touched the hearts of so many” and was committed to aiding the vulnerable, whether in refugee camps in Africa or in London. They expressed their struggle to come to terms with the tragedy and requested privacy during this difficult time.
John Martin, artistic director of Pan Intercultural Arts, an organisation where Rook volunteered for over 16 years working with young refugees, described her as a “larger-than-life character” whose “boundless optimism” gave new hope to those she supported. He highlighted her unwavering commitment to fighting violence against women throughout her life.
In connection with the incident, a 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He was taken to hospital, later discharged, and subsequently held in police custody. The Metropolitan Police have indicated that they regard the case as “domestic-related.” The explosion had caused significant damage to the property, with the front bay window blown out and debris scattered across the street. Additionally, two children, aged seven and nine, were taken to hospital as a precaution but are believed not to have been inside at the time.
This case is part of a wider pattern of violent incidents in Stoke Newington, where several fatal stabbings have occurred over recent years. Although unrelated, other notable cases have included the stabbing of a man in his 30s on Matthias Road and a deadly attack outside a NatWest bank involving Rabbi Alter Yaakov Schlesinger. These incidents have raised ongoing concerns about violent crime in the area, with police sometimes conducting house-to-house searches and reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigations.
The loss of Annabel Rook has resonated strongly with those who knew her, underscoring the human cost of such violence beyond the statistics. Through her work with refugees and survivors, she leaves behind a powerful legacy of kindness and dedication to social justice.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/22/family-pay-tribute-annabel-rook-stoke-newington-stabbing – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/22/family-pay-tribute-annabel-rook-stoke-newington-stabbing – Annabel Rook, 46, was found stabbed after a gas explosion at her home in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, London. She co-founded MamaSuze, a charity supporting refugee and migrant women, some of whom have fled domestic violence, through art and drama activities. Her family described her as a wonderful woman who dedicated her life to helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged. A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder; police believe the incident was domestic-related.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnk43dg2d1vo – A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder after another 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Stoke Newington, east London. The incident occurred on Stellman Close, where the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police are conducting house-to-house inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage. The Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, and the Met’s Detective Chief Inspector James Conway briefed reporters on the situation. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnk43dg2d1vo?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-47970188 – A man in his 30s was stabbed to death in Stoke Newington, north-east London. Emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing on Matthias Road, where the victim was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. A crime scene was established, and police were granted increased stop and search powers in the surrounding area. No arrests have been made. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-47970188?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/four-arrested-after-man-knifed-to-death-in-stoke-newington-a4121911.html – Four people were arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 30s was stabbed to death in Stoke Newington, north-east London. The incident occurred on Matthias Road, where the victim was found with a stab injury and pronounced dead at the scene. The arrested individuals include a 33-year-old woman and three men aged 67, 62, and 58. Police believe the victim may have been attacked in nearby Cowper Road. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/four-arrested-after-man-knifed-to-death-in-stoke-newington-a4121911.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/stoke-newington-stabbing-man-knifed-to-death-in-third-fatal-stabbing-of-year-on-londons-streets-a3735186.html – A man in his 30s was stabbed to death in Stoke Newington, marking the third fatal stabbing in London this year. The incident occurred on Shakespeare Walk, where the victim was found with stab wounds and later died in hospital. No arrests have been made. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/stoke-newington-stabbing-man-knifed-to-death-in-third-fatal-stabbing-of-year-on-londons-streets-a3735186.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.thejc.com/news/stamford-hill-rabbi-named-as-victim-of-stoke-newington-stabbing-attack-dtgawthp – Rabbi Alter Yaakov Schlesinger, in his 50s, was named as the victim of a stabbing in Stoke Newington, Hackney. The attack occurred outside a NatWest bank on Stoke Newington High Street, where the rabbi was queuing. Witnesses described how a man in his 40s approached the rabbi with a large knife just before 11am. Two Jewish construction site workers restrained the alleged attacker after hearing a ‘serious scream’. ([thejc.com](https://www.thejc.com/news/stamford-hill-rabbi-named-as-victim-of-stoke-newington-stabbing-attack-dtgawthp?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the incident reported on June 22, 2025. No earlier publications of this specific event were found. The report is based on a press release from The Guardian, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content may be original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable UK news organisation, enhancing its credibility. The Guardian is known for its thorough journalism and fact-checking processes.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The details of the incident, including the gas explosion and stabbing in Stoke Newington, align with known patterns of violent crime in the area. The Guardian’s report is consistent with other reputable sources, such as the BBC’s coverage of similar incidents in Stoke Newington. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-11448895?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and sourced from a reputable organisation. The details are consistent with known patterns of violent crime in Stoke Newington, and the report aligns with other reputable sources.
