Family pay tribute to 'beautiful' mother, 32, after model's fatal stabbing in front of daughter, 3, at Notting Hill Carnival
2 September 2024, 10:35 | Updated: 2 September 2024, 10:38
A woman who lost her life after being stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival had come for a "fun" day out with her young child, police have said, as her family paid tribute to a "beautiful" mother.
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Cher Maximen, 32, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following Sunday's stabbing, which saw the mother-of-one knifed in front of her 3-year-old daughter.
Now, her grieving family have paid emotional tribute to the mum, saying: “Cher was beautiful inside and out. She has a lot of family and has many friends.
“She was a good mother and protector of family and close friends.”
However, the family has insisted that despite reports suggesting Cher was attempting to break up a fight, the model and fashion designer “was not parting any gang fight with a three-year-old.”
Three men have since been arrested in connection with the attack, the Met has confirmed.
It follows the separate killing, Mussie Imnetu, 41, close to the carnival - a top chef who worked under Gordon Ramsay.
He was found unconscious with a head injury outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway at about 11.22pm on Monday.
A GoFundMe page set up following her death has now raised £5,117 of £20,000 to cover funeral costs and her toddler.
Following the events of Sunday, the page explains the child “now faces a future without her mother”.
Writing on the page, Yasmin Joseph said: “Cher was enjoying a joyful day out with her beloved three-year-old daughter when her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence.”
"This little girl deserves all the love and care we can offer during this incredibly difficult time."
Read more: Met Police Federation chief calls for Notting Hill Carnival to be moved over safety fears
Cher was initially thought to have been attacked after finding herself between two groups of men. It's unclear if she knew any of them.
“Cher was not just a mother; she was a shining light in her community, known for her warmth and kindness. Her smile brought joy to many, and her legacy will live on through her daughter," Yasmin continued.
"Together, we can help ensure that this young girl has the resources she needs to grow up surrounded by love, support, and opportunities.”
Shakiel Thibou, 20, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with the attempted murder of Maximen, alongside possession of a knife in a public place and violent disorder.
Shakiel appeared in court alongside his two brothers, Sheldon Thibou, 24, and Shaeim Thibou, 21, are of whom are charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.
Sheldon Thibou also faces an additional charge of possessing a stun gun.
Shakiel Thibou, of Masbro Road, Hammersmith, west London, and Sheldon Thibou, of Star Road, Hammersmith, gave no indication of pleas, while Shaeim Thibou, of Charleville Road, Fulham, southwest London, pleaded not guilty.
Following the deaths, Commander Charmain Brenyah, the Met’s spokesperson for Notting Hill Carnival, said: "Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the woman who is fighting for her life in hospital and with her loved ones.
"She came to Carnival to have fun, with her young child, and was caught up in the most awful violence.
"These arrests are a significant step in the investigation. They are the result of a determined effort by detectives who have worked around the clock to identify, locate and arrest these suspects.
"We should not underestimate how much more difficult those vital early stages of an investigation are when they take place in the context of a busy, crowded event like Carnival.
"I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible work of the officers, including police medics, who arrived so quickly - delivering emergency medical treatment and securing the scene to preserve vital evidence.
"Our investigations into the other incidents over the weekend continue."
Over 330 arrests were made at the carnival this year, which is the highest level since 2019. Eight people were stabbed, including the 32-year-old woman. There was also one incident involving a corrosive substance.
Police confiscated three guns - two at the carnival itself and one during a vehicle stop in Harrow where people were driving to the event.
Met Police Federation's Rick Prior speaks to Nick after 35 police officers were injured
Some 35 police officers were injured across the event, including one who took a "significant" blow to the face.
Police called for anyone with information on the stabbings to come forward by calling police on 101, messaging @MetCC on X or calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Commander Brenyah said earlier that she had grown up near where the event is held in west London and has "many happy memories of the music, costumes, floats and fantastic atmosphere".
But she added: "Sadly, however, we know that for a minority of people, Carnival is an opportunity to commit crime or to seek out violent confrontation."
Speaking to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on Tuesday morning, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, the body that represents rank and file officers, said that the event should be moved.
Rick Prior said: "We recognise the cultural significance of the event and do not wish for the event to be cancelled, however I think it’s outgrown its current footprint.
“Alternative venues, be it Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens should be scoped to allow for a safer policing operation."
The Met deployed a specialist crowd management unit for the second year running, to monitor crowd density and prevent overcrowding.
Mr Prior said: “We had officers isolated over the weekend, unable to move because they were surrounded and packed in.
“I know that senior officers will be getting in contact with the 35 officers who were injured during the event - I’m thankful that all of those injuries seem to be reasonably minor in their nature,
“I know one officer did suffer a significant face injury - luckily no broken bones involved, just significant bruising."
The government rejected calls to move the event.
Ellie Reeves, Cabinet Minister and MP for Lewisham West and East Dulwich, said: “I’m saddened by those figures, and I don’t think that at all reflects the vast number of people that go to Carnival to have a fantastic community event
“Carnival has been going on for a long, long time, it’s a fantastic event in the cultural calendar of London, and it’s important that communities can come together.
“The vast majority of people that go there, go there to celebrate and have a good time.”
