A man has been charged with the murder of two women, 41-year-old Naomi Hunte and 48-year-old Fiona Holm. Carl Cooper, 65, of Broadfield Road, SE6, is set to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 14 July.
The tragic incidents occurred on Thursday, 13 July. Naomi Hunte was found deceased after police responded to a call at an address in Congleton Grove, SE18, on Monday, 14 February 2022. A subsequent post-mortem examination conducted on Wednesday, 16 February, at Greenwich Mortuary revealed that the cause of death was a stab wound.
Carl Cooper was originally arrested on 18 February 2022 on suspicion of Naomi’s murder. He was later released on bail pending further inquiries before being released under investigation. It is important to note that Cooper was not on bail at the time of Fiona’s disappearance.
Fiona Holm was reported missing on 29 June 2023 and was last seen at an off-license in Verdant Lane on Tuesday, 20 June. No contact has been made with Fiona since that day. Initially treated as a missing person case, Fiona’s disappearance raised concerns due to its unusual nature and the significant amount of time since she was last seen alive. As a result, the investigation was transferred to the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command on Tuesday, 11 July.
On Tuesday, 11 July, Carl Cooper was arrested on suspicion of Fiona’s murder. Following further investigations, he has now been charged with the murder of both Naomi and Fiona. Cooper is known to both victims.
The Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified, as is standard practice when someone who is the subject of a missing person investigation passes away.
Authorities are currently conducting searches at various addresses and open areas in South East London in an effort to locate Fiona’s body. Investigators are urging anyone with information pertaining to her disappearance to come forward and contact the police via 101 or by tweeting @MetCC, quoting reference number 22MIS023317. Anonymous tips can be shared by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or visiting Crimestoppers-uk.org.
