Residents of the Radford neighbourhood, in the Nottingham district, UK are in shock after learning about the deaths of a woman and her disabled daughter. A neighbour told Mail Online that she hadn’t seen the pair for months and recalled hearing sounds she thought were animal cries coming from the property some time ago.
Alphonsine Djiako Leuga, the deceased mother who hails from Cameroon, had fled an abusive relationship in Italy and sought refuge in the UK approximately seven years ago. Tatiane Nulah, 42, recounted finding Alphonsine and her two daughters on a street near Nottingham’s Victoria Centre mall. “She didn’t know anybody and had nowhere to go,” Nulah said.
Nulah is said to have housed the family for two weeks before they disappeared.
A friend of Alphonsine revealed that she last visited the council house in Radford in 2022. “I think she was struggling with the cost of living. She last texted me asking for £100,” the friend testified, adding that Alphonsine faced difficulties because caring for her disabled daughter prevented her from working.
Deborah Williams, a neighbour in Radford noted that social services had visited her home several times in recent months, attempting to reach Alphonsine. Williams said, “The social workers would ask if I had seen them recently. But I would only really notice them when they left the house to go out shopping.”
Alphonsine’s concern for her violent husband had driven the family to Nottingham after a harrowing journey from Italy. A friend of the family told Mail Online that Alphonsine had initially explored Nottingham as a potential safe haven before permanently relocating with her children.
The discovery of their bodies has left the community in mourning. Two bouquets of flowers have been placed outside the home, with one message reading: “It’s so sad and heartbreaking to hear what has happened at this house. Two beautiful lives have been lost. A mother and daughter. RIP.”
Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow commented on the case, stating, “This is a tragic case, and we are currently working to understand exactly how and when these people died. We have enlisted the help of a forensic pathologist and will be in a better position to determine what has happened once they conclude their report.”
A spokesman for Nottingham City Council reacted, saying, “We were deeply saddened to hear the news and our thoughts are with the friends, family, and neighbours of the two residents at this time. We are currently liaising closely with the police to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.”
As investigations continue, the Cameroonian community in Radford and the UK in general remains in shock, grappling with the loss of a mother and her daughter, who had sought a safe haven but met a heartbreaking end.
“Who would have seen this coming? It is important to constant check on those we care about,” noted Caroline, a Cameroonian resident in Birmigham.
Source: Mail Online
