Neighbours of a woman stabbed to death in her home have spoken of their shock and fear following the murder.

Linah Keza, a model and Miss Africa contestant who lived in King Edward Road, Leyton, was stabbed to death in her home early yesterday morning and pronounced dead at the scene after police were called at 4.29am.

Reports suggest the Rwandan national’s three-year-old daughter was found crying in a pool of blood next to her body.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the murder earlier today after handing himself in to a north London police station. He remains in custody.

“I’m really shocked. It’s a quiet neighbourhood,” said Ameer Khan, 20, who lives a few doors away.

“It’s a really good area where the people are mostly older or settled down.”

He added that there had been another stabbing on the corner of the road and Leyton High Road around a week ago.

Leon James, 29, said his three-year-old daughter sometimes played with Ms Keza’s daughter who is around the same age.

“They kept themselves to themselves mostly,” he said.

“I think her daughter’s name was Oli.”

He added that he thought they had moved to the area a year ago.

Another neighbour, Nazia Ghulam, 30, said: “I’m shocked and scared.

“Police just told me what happened. This is just a quiet residential street.”

Due to previous police contact between the arrested man and Ms Linah the Met has referred matters to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police say it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Rwandan media reported a statement read by the chairperson of the Rwandan community in London, Patrice Gateja Shema.

“It is with deep regret and sadness that I inform you of the passing on of our sister, friend and an active member of the community, Linah Keza,” she said.

A post-mortem examination was due to take place today at Walthamstow Mortuary.