CHARLTON: No charges for arrested pair in Irene Barrett murder probe

Mrs Barrett was found with multiple stab wounds at her 15th-floor flat in Valiant House, a high-rise block overlooking Charlton Athletic football stadium.

Police say she had also been severely beaten while her home, where she had lived alone for 20 years, was looted for jewellery and cash.

It is believed it was a burglary that turned into murder and Mrs Barrett may have been tricked into opening the door to her attackers.

Residents in the block said Mrs Barrett was active on the residents’ association committee and knitted blankets for babies and pets.

Claire Pickett, 30, said: "She was such a lovely lady. She used to knit blankets for premature babies and animals at Battersea Dogs Home.

"She even made a blanket for my baby when it was born. She was like a grandmother for all the young children here.”

Sylvia Melvin, a 77-year-old who moved in to Valiant House at the same time as Mrs Barrett said: “It’s shocking.

“She used to be on the residents’ committee, organising things for the over-55s.

“I just can’t get over it.

Mrs Melvin added that the block had recently been attracting drunks, drug addicts and youths with vicious dogs.

She said: “Now I have to be very cautious. You don’t know who you’re getting into a lift with.”

Mrs Barrett, known to friends as Reeny, had a son, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Flowers and tributes were left outside her door while police forensic teams combed the scene.

Winston Burnett, 68, who also lives in the block, run by Charlton Triangle housing association, said: “She was a frail person - the type who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“I just think that somebody must have known her or targeted her.”

He added: “I think it’s time now for security to be jacked up in this building.

“We’ve asked them to put cameras in the lifts to monitor the place. At the moment people can walk in and out as they please.”

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons described the crime as “one of the most violent murders I have ever come across.”

He said: “Her family are devastated at what has happened.

“This sort of crime is very unusual. We need the public to come forward to assist us.”

A 32-year-old woman and 34-year-old man, believed to be from the block, were arrested at the weekend but have now been relased with no further action.

If you have any information call 020 8721 4961 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.