Father stabs wife then throws himself under a train

A 32 year old woman has been stabbed to death after a frenzied knife attack by her estranged husband. The incident occurred yesterday evening (Thursday) in front of their three year old son, John, at the Caterpillar Day Nursery which is situated inside the Old Actonians Sports Club on Gunnersbury Drive. The man, Sean Francis, immediately drove to West Ealing and threw himself under a speeding train. The couple were estranged and both still lived in the Ealing area.

Francis initially stabbed Wendy Billing through an open window of the car and then pulled her from the car and dumped her body in the car park. The child, who is currently being cared for by family members, was pulled from the car during the attack by a member of staff at the nursery.

At 4.49 in the afternoon on Thursday the police were called to the Old Actonian Sports Ground. She was brought to New Ealing Hospital but she died shortly afterwards.

At 5.11 that same afternoon the police were informed of an incident at Hanwell BR Station in which a 35 year old man had died as a result of a collision with a train. The death caused widespread disruption to train services across West London.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The woman's three year-old boy was present at the time of the stabbing. We believe the father reached into the car and started stabbing her. The child was taken from the car by a member of the public but I don't know if the father's intention was to kidnap the child. The child was taken from the car while the scuffle was taking place. Knives were involved from the start of the fight, from what we can tell."

Francis had a few days previously appeared in court because he had breached an order preventing him from seeing Wendy Billing. He had been arrested the previous Saturday for an incident in which it was alleged he had kicked his son.

The investigation is being headed by Detective Superintendent Keith Niven of the Serious Crime Directorate.

Anyone with any information should contact the incident room on 0208 247 7821. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

September 16, 2006