Canary wharf cleaner murdered

Her daughter, Gitana Skirmantas, 35, said: “We, as a family, loved my mother very much. She came to the UK two years ago to be with her grandchildren whom she adored.

“She was a hard-working person and was respected by everybody who knew her. We would ask anybody who had any information about what happened to my mother to come forward and assist police.”

Ade (pictured right) was seen leaving the Canary Wharf bank where she worked at 6am last Thursday (February 28), wearing a pink hat and white coat. She was carrying a black bag which was missing when she was found in Emerald Close.

Ade caught the Docklands Light Railway at Canary Wharf and got off seven stops later at Royal Albert at 6.35am. She was seen in Stansfield Road five minutes later. Police believe she was then attacked and robbed of her handbag by two men seen leaving Emerald Close on a scooter.

The scooter or moped is described as a gearless “twist and go”, of silver or light grey colour with no number plates.

A bunch of white carnations lay at the scene. The victim’s neighbours were shocked at the news.
One man, who had lived off Emerald Close for 15 years, but did not want to be named, said: “It’s a bit of a shock. There’s been petty crime in the area before like vandalism, smashed cars and attempted
burglaries, but nothing like this.”

Ade, originally from Lithuania, had worked at Canary Wharf for two years for Lancaster Office Cleaning company.

A spokeswoman for her employer said: “Everyone at Lancaster Office Cleaning would like to offer their condolences to Gitana and her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely tragic time.
“Ade was a valued member of Lancaster Office Cleaning team and will be greatly missed.”

An incident room has opened at Barking and the officer in charge of the case, Det Ch Insp Carl Mehta, has appealed for information.
He said: “Did you see two men on a scooter? Have you seen a scooter or moped abandoned anywhere?
“We also want to hear from anyone with information about Ade’s handbag and are asking people particularly in the Beckton and Custom House areas to report any abandoned handbags.”

Although police issued these pictures of Ade leaving work they refused to identify the bank or say where it is.

Call the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk