Full-time carer son suspected of killing 100-year-old mother

Richard Edwards and Lucy Cockcroft Published: 2:29PM GMT twenty-four Feb 2010

Detectives have launched a attempted attempted attempted murder exploration after the woman, declared locally as Hannah Fitzgibbon, was stabbed once in the neck at her terraced residence in Whitechapel.

It is accepted that Mrs Fitzgibbons 61-year-old son Michael, a former black taxi driver, was arrested and questioned on guess of murder.

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The victim, who was 100 in September, was to some extent deaf, purebred blind and had not left the home in years, according to neighbours.

Friends of the suspect, Mr Fitzgibbon, who had a cadence 3 years ago, conspicuous he was a "devoted" son who carried her around from room to room, rebuilt her food, and carried out the housekeeping.

They questioned the await he had perceived from amicable services to assistance him caring for his thin mother.

Stanley Mendel, 78, a friend, said: "He regularly conspicuous how most he desired his mum, but she was really old and it was tough work seeking after her. He had had a cadence and was removing on himself in age, I wish to know since he wasnt since some-more help. He did all for his mum, baked her meals, carried her from the bed to the toilet, done her cups of tea when she longed for it.

"He was underneath a lot of pressure."

Another 75-year-old crony of Mrs Fitzgibbon conspicuous "Michael was clinging to assisting her out, he didnt get any assistance from any one else. He did all her selling and her in progress and cleaning. He tended to her each need."

A orator for amicable services conspicuous they would examination any hit they had with the family.

Mrs Fitzgibbon, who was innate in Stepney in 1909, tied together her father Joseph in 1935. The integrate had eight children, 3 of whom died young, together with twins. Mr Fitzgibbon, thought to have been a Dock worker, died sixteen eyars ago.

Henry Fitzgibbon, one of their sons, described the stabbing as a "terrible" tragedy.

"I have no thought what has happened at the moment," he conspicuous at his home in Hemel Hempstead. "Its a really formidable time. Its terrible."

Mrs Fitzgibbon perceived a telegraph from the Queen to symbol her 100th birthday in September, and had a large celebration at her home, with family travelling from Australia to applaud her centenary.

An 85-year-old crony said: "She hasnt been out of the residence for a integrate of years since shes so old but she had a correct celebration for her birthday, the residence was full. She referred to her telegraph from the Queen to me, she was really unapproachable of it."

Michael, well known locally as Mick, lived with his mom and slept in the vital room.

One next door neighbour said: "I cant hold this, I was only with Mick last night, we had a integrate of pints and watched the West Ham Liverpool diversion together. He was he gentlest guy."

A Metropolitan military orator said: "A attempted attempted attempted murder enquiry has been launched after the deadly stabbing of an aged lady in E1.

"Police were called at 09.45 on Wednesday 24th Feb to an residence in Hainton Close, E1 to reports of an aged womanlike stabbed.

"London ambulance use and military attend and find a 100 year old womanlike pang from a gash wound to the neck. She was conspicuous passed at the scene.

"Next of family have been informed. We await grave marker of the victim.

"A post mortem will take place in due course. A 61 year old man has been arrested and is now in custody."