Pictured
'HEART OF GOLD'
THIS is the mum-of-two knifed to death by her 'violent' ex before he was mowed down by a 'vigilante' driver.
Wafah Chkaifi, 43, was killed by her ex Leon McCaskie, 41, in front of horrified parents taking their kids to school in Maida Vale, West London.
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She was stabbed by the hooded killer before an unnamed driver rushed to help - ploughing into the knifeman before screaming "what have I done".
Detective quizzed the driver, a 26-year-old man, on suspicion of murder but have since released him on bail.
Heartbroken family members have today paid tribute to the mum, who had a “heart of gold”, and hailed the driver a "hero" for trying to step in and save her - after years of abuse.
A family spokeswoman told The Sun: “The man who killed my sister is a demon. The man who killed him is a hero. He deserves a medal from the queen.
“There is no way he should go through the justice system for what he did. He tried to help her and for my sister and our family he is a hero.
“If anything we want to thank him for what he did. The man responsible is called Leon.
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"He was supposed to be in court last week for breaching a stalking order but didn’t show up.
“My sister even has a panic alarm in her flat to protect herself from him. The police are aware of his past but this still happened.
“He was a demon. He was a monster but the driver is a hero. He saw what was happening and tried to stop it. I want to say thank you again.”
Her son added: ”Everyone who knew my mum knows she was a good woman. She didn’t deserve this. Keep her in your prayers.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a Stalking Prevention Order had been obtained against Leon, and there will be a review by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
Do you know the driver of the vehicle? Please contact 0207 782 4100 or email [email protected]
Police confirmed that the driver had been fully co-operating with the investigation and was bailed to a date in February.
It is understood that Wafah, aslo known as Yasmin, lived just a few minutes walk from the scene on Chippenham Road.
She had dropped her teenage children, 16 and 18, off at school when the drama happened at 9am yesterday.
It is understood that Leon had been handed a restraining order, and was ordered not to contact his ex-partner.
He had reportedly breached the ruling last year, and had failed to show up for a court hearing earlier this month.
Horrified witnesses saw the mum scream for help before a bystander ploughed into the hooded knifeman after watching the brutal attack.
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A man who claimed to have seen the attack London, told : “The driver said to me ‘what have I done?’ I told him ‘you had to do that'."
Another man who laid flowers added: "I live local and I was just passing in my car when I saw it happening.
“I ran back to my car jumped in and locked the doors. Next thing I know a car rammed into the guy with knife.
“The woman had her jacket under the car but she wasn’t hit by it. We had to lift the car up to get the guy out from under it.”
Raad Jiyad, 52, also tried to intervene when he heard the woman's frantic screams for help outside of a school.
He said: "I was at home when I heard someone crying for help. I saw him stab her four or five times in the chest.
"The man who arrived in the blue car, which was a Renault, was scared about what happened. We spoke to each other and he tried to stop the guy with the knife.
"I wanted to try and make him come towards me instead to buy her some time.
"We tried to save her. He had this big knife so no one wanted to go near. Then this car came through and ran him over.
"It was all over so quickly. He went completely under the car. I think the driver was just trying to buy time to distract him."
'CRYING FOR HELP
Forensic officers remain on the scene, scouring the area for any evidence.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson said: “We are gaining a clearer idea of what happened at the scene thanks to information supplied by the public and by reviewing CCTV.
“Firstly, it is apparent that members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack and their actions were very courageous.
“We are speaking to the families of those concerned and doing all we can to support them at this terrible time.
“We can now confirm that both the deceased were previously known to each other and there are no outstanding suspects.
"A man, who was the driver of a car, has been arrested and bailed for a very serious offence and we must carry out a full investigation, looking at all the circumstances.
“Lastly, we appreciate the support we have received from the public. A number of people have already come forward, but we are still asking for anyone who has not to make contact with us.
“Any information could be vital in helping us fully understand why this dreadful incident happened.”
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Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote reference CAD 1496/24JAN.
To give information anonymously contact on 0800 555 111.
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