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Man charged with graveyard murder

5:40pm Monday 6th October 2008

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A MAN has been charged with the murder of a woman whose body was found in a graveyard.

Jonathon Linzell, 30, of no fixed address, is accused of killing Melita Jo, whose beaten body was discovered by a passer-by in a the grounds of St Mary's Church in Walthamstow Village.

He appeared at Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court this morning (Tuesday) and remanded in custody.

He will appear at the Old Bailey on December 30.

Five other men, who were arrested in Walthamstow, have been released pending further inquiries.

Police returned to the scene of the killing last night (Monday) in the hope of finding more witnesses.

Investigating officer Det Chief Insp John Macdonald said: "We have spoken to a few people who passed by the scene on Monday night.

"However I know that many more have not come forward.

"This is actually quite a busy through path. Even if you don't think you have anything to tell us, it is important for us to know who you are because other witnesses may have described you as being there.

"We also need to ask people when they last saw Melita alive.

"All we know at the moment is that she was killed at some time prior to the finding of her body at 8am.

"We need to pin down any sightings prior to that when she was up and about, and obviously healthy."

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020-8345 3985.

Mrs Jo had been sleeping rough in the area for some time.

She is from the Philippines and had been living in the church grounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Chingford CID on 0208 345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A vigil attended by residents, Neil Gerarrd MP and mayor Sheila Smith-Pryor was held in the graveyard on Sunday (October 5).

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jory, walthamstow says...
6:51pm Mon 6 Oct 08

when i went to Warwick school for boys i use to see this women every morning good thing that i don't go there any more because me and my friends would of been the ones who found here she always used to have a scarf round here neck

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Reen, London says...
9:57pm Mon 6 Oct 08

This lady was not just a “homeless” woman. She had a name and a family once. I walked past Melita Jo most days on my way back from work and I probably saw her a couple of days before she died.

I often wondered, as I walked past her, why she lived in the graveyard. When I heard the sad news, I was angry at the church for not helping her. Why would a church allow a woman to be homeless and live in a graveyard? I then realised I was passing the buck. I passed her every single day and I assumed the church would help her and so my conscience was clear.

Hindsight is a great thing, because if I could, I would have spoken to the church to ask why she was homeless and living in a graveyard. The good thing about this country is that there are places to go if you are homeless – shelters, hostels – but would Melita from the Philippines have known this?

This news has touched me and it horrifies me to think she was targeted for being homeless and beaten to death by yobs that were probably doing it to get kicks. This is all speculation of course, because little information has been given out about this woman who carried her life in a suitcase.

I feel as though I also failed her. I wish I had helped her. I don’t want Melita to be known as some homeless person and forgotten about. I would like to do something in honour of her as I hope St Mary’s Church will want to as well. The next time I pass a person that might need help, I am certainly going to think twice now.

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Arkady, Walthamstow says...
10:52pm Mon 6 Oct 08

Reen, I'd advise you to read the comments on the other reports on this story. Melita had been in the UK since 1992; she wasn't some newcomer to the country who didn't speak the language - she was a nanny who had been in this country quite some time and spoke English very well and was used to living in the UK.

Melita was offered assistance by the church; she was offered shelter and housing but always refused it, saying that she felt safest in the churchyard. Many members of the congregation of St.Mary's tried to help her, but she was most insistent.

She spent some time in hospital, but n her release from hospital returned straight back to the place she felt most safe; she was certainly not ignored or abandoned by St.mary's however. Many of the congregation brought her food and drink and would spend time chatting with her; she attended every service in the church (she was a very devout woman), and she washed in the church bathroom and accepted tea after the services.

St.Mary's did all they could for her, but you cannot compel someone to accept aid against their will.

Arkady (member of St.Mary's congregation who brought food to Melita)

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Reg66, walthamstow says...
8:23am Tue 7 Oct 08

Indeed as Arkady says there was plenty done by many different agancies in her life, and on Sunday afternoon a few hundred (including me) gathered in her honour, in the church yard she chose to live for a non religious remembrance peace vigil with people from all over the community from the Mayor, and the Vicar to me and my neighbours.

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gardenia, Walthamstow says...
10:35am Tue 7 Oct 08

I too have been affected by the sad and senseless murder of Malita Jo. I think it would be most appropriate if her final resting place could be in St. Mary's Churchyard which Malita had made her home and refuge.

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gardenia, Walthamstow says...
10:37am Tue 7 Oct 08

I too have been affected by the sad and senseless murder of Malita Jo. I think it would be most appropriate if her final resting place could be in St. Mary's Churchyard which Malita had made her home and refuge.

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Reen, London says...
2:52pm Tue 7 Oct 08

Thanks for clarifying Arkady - I was trying to find extra information but was unable to. I was not blamng the church - it was more of an initial reaction and I felt bad for never approaching her.

I did not realise about the Vigil until yesterday but would have gone if I had known sooner.

When/Where will the funeral be?

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Arkady, Walthamstow says...
3:57pm Tue 7 Oct 08

We don't know at present; the authorities are trying to trace her family in the Philippines - she had two children who don't yet know their mother is dead. :-(

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JessicaN, Walthamstow says...
11:48am Wed 8 Oct 08

I am feeling really sad about the way Malita Jo died.
I just hate the thought that she had such a hard time and then to have her life taken away from her like that just sickens me.
I used to walk past her every day twice a day.Infact I walked past her on Monday morning and noted she was completely bundled up in her blanket with an umbrella over her as it was raining. I remember thinking I should take her a hot drink as it gets colder.Me and my housemate spoke about her often,and hoped nothing bad had happened to her when we saw all the police tape. I feel bad I didn't do anything to help, and I didnt know the vigil on Sunday happened.I'd like to attend her funeral if it's an open one. I hope wherever she is now she's warm and happy.

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