Aidan White on questions for the Met Police over canal death mystery

A photo frame, surrounded by plants, with an image of a woman — Memorial for Daniela

Homeless and vulnerable people in one of Stratford’s poorest areas are in mourning over the mysterious death of Daniela Terciu, a much-loved member of their community.

Daniela was found dead in the canal at Three Mills Lock Stratford on 18 September. Police arrested a man on suspicion of murder, but released him three days later without charge.

Police have not made any public appeal for information or released any news about the case, which has dismayed her friends at the Carpenters and Docklands Community Centre in Stratford.

“People are very upset,” said Samantha White, the manager of the Centre which provides food and support every day to hundreds of local people.

“I don’t know how to console them. How do we say goodbye when we don’t know what really happened? This is all a mystery and people want answers to questions.

“We are devastated by her loss and troubled that no-one has come to learn about the life she lived among us.”

A shrine to her memory has been set up in the Centre where Daniela was a regular visitor for the last four years. Her body was found the day after her final visit to the Centre.

Questions remain over the cause of her death and people at the Centre are concerned at the lack of public information over her death.
Daniela, aged 54, lived with Sorin in a tent on waste ground between Bow Canal and the Tesco supermarket in Bow.

Her partner Sorin Visan told Newham Voices that he was told that Daniela had been strangled, but police say the death remains “unexpected.”

A spokesperson for the Met Police told Newham Voices that: “The death is being treated as unexpected and remains under investigation. As part of enquiries, on 1 October officers arrested a man in his 50s on suspicion of murder. He was subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.”

At some stage a formal inquest will be held but police have not confirmed which coroner’s court will deal with the case and have not yet confirmed that Daniela was the victim.

Like others Samantha White is stunned by the incident. “Could we have a proper funeral,” she asks. “Daniela deserves respect and dignity. We are dealing with people’s grief. I’m grief stricken myself and its made worse because we don’t know exactly what happened to her.”

Others at the Centre expressed their shock and sadness. “The news was such a shock,” said Daniel’s friend Mariana Banita. “I will miss you very much and will always think of you with love.”

Richard said: “Daniela, you were strong and kind-hearted. You did not deserve to die like this.”

“You left us in a cruel way, but you will always be in our thoughts,” said Doina. Maxine Mitchell said “Daniela was an amazing woman with a heart of gold.”

Dozens of similar tributes came from members of the Carpenters community.

“Daniela will never be forgotten,” said Samantha, “she lives on in our memories, our stories and the love we continue to share in her name.”

Although no formal appeal has been launched the police say anyone with information should ring 011 and quote the case number CAD 5694/18SEP.

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