Police were not called until the following morning and found a woman stabbed to death, with Scotland Yard reporting the incident to the police watchdog.
Metropolitan Police forced their way into the £3.1million home in Stanhope Square, Bayswater, on Monday, 12 hours after friends of the victim raised concerns for her welfare.
A murder investigation is underway after a woman in her twenties was found dead with multiple stab wounds.
Police said the first call was made at 7:05pm on Sunday and the second at 9:34pm, but there was no immediate response as she was initially rated as a medium risk Missing persons.
At 8.30am the next day, police entered the Grade II listed townhouse, which dates from the 1820s, near Marble Arch.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: “The Met Professional Standards Authority has been notified and will make a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to the initial contact by the woman’s friend.”
Police added that efforts were being made to trace and notify the woman’s next of kin and a post-mortem examination would be conducted in due course. No arrests have been made so far.
An elderly neighbor, who asked not to be named, said she heard two “high-pitched screams” on Sunday night.
This woman who has lived on the street for more than half a century told reporters Mail online: “I did hear very, very high-pitched screaming coming from that direction on Sunday night.
“A series of screams. I remember two things – I’m very sensitive to sounds. They were unusual. There was no sound other than the screams, and then there was silence.
“I was in my room and I thought, ‘This is weird,’ and then I remember a noise coming from the other side of my house.
“What can I do? If this continues I will stick my head out.”
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Clifton, who is leading the investigation, said: “I know this news will be worrying and local women in particular may be concerned.
“Our investigation is at an early stage and we are keeping an open mind as to a motive, but I can reassure people that my team are working 24/7 to establish what happened to the woman and identify and arrest anyone who may be .responsible for the attack.
“My officers now need the public’s support and information. I would like to ask locals to check their doorbell cameras and for drivers in the area to think about whether they have seen anything unusual that may have been captured by their dash cam. Have you noticed anything unusual at this address? Any unusual activity? If you do, then we have to hear from you.”
Chief Superintendent Louise Pudfoot, head of Westminster Police, added: “Our thoughts are with this woman and her family. My officers will do everything they can to support the investigation and they will Stationed in the area to speak with anyone who has any information or concerns they would like to share with us.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that on the morning of 8 April 2024, police officers found a woman dead at a property in Stanhope Place, W2. This afternoon we received reports from the Metropolitan Police Referral from MPS.
“The referral was made in relation to previous contact after a friend of the woman called police twice on Sunday evening (April 7) to report her missing. We will assess the referral and decide what further action may be required from us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or “X” @MetCC ref CAD 6784/7 Apr or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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