Two people have been arrested at an airport on suspicion of the murder of a 76-year-old woman found dead after a suspected burglary.

Nelly Akomah was discovered by ambulance workers fatally wounded at her home in Ladbrook Road, Croydon, south London, around 10.40am on Wednesday morning.

A 31-year-old woman and a man aged 28 were detained at Stansted Airport on Friday on suspicion of murder and have been taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers are investigating the possibility there was a burglary at Ms Akomah’s property and have asked anyone who was in the area on Tuesday 20 June between 10pm and midnight to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said the grandmother was “active in her church and her loss will be keenly felt by many people”.

“The arrests mark substantial progress in what is a fast-moving investigation,” she added.

“I don’t underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident and there are various suggestions circulating about what may have happened.

“At this stage, we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nelly’s address.

“I must stress that our investigation is in its very early stages and we are working to establish what exactly happened.”

Ms Akomah was the leader of the Nigerian Methodist Mission UK and Ireland and a member of Tooting Methodist Church.

In a statement on Facebook, member Ayodeji Okegbile described Ms Akomah was “our long-standing leader” and a ” beloved mother”.

“She will always be dearly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with her loving children, grandchildren, family, Tooting Methodist Church, Nigerian Fellowship, and close friends,” he added.

Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination which was conducted on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, who is responsible for policing in Croydon, said the force is working “diligently” to establish the facts after the “heartbreaking” incident.

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