Hai Van Nguyen appeared in court after his wife Hien Thi Vu, 45, was found dead at their New Cross home

The usually quiet neighbourhood of Hatfield Close in New Cross, South London, was shaken to its core over the weekend when police discovered the body of 45-year-old Hien Thi Vu in her family home. The woman’s death, now under investigation as a homicide, has prompted an outpouring of grief and disbelief from neighbours and community members alike.

Emergency services were called to the property on the morning of Saturday, April 13, following reports of a serious incident. Police officers, accompanied by paramedics, arrived to find Vu unresponsive. Despite immediate medical attention, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

What followed was both startling and swift. Mere minutes after the discovery, 53-year-old Hai Van Nguyen, Vu’s husband, voluntarily walked into Lewisham Police Station. There, he was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police have since confirmed that Nguyen has been formally charged.

He appeared before magistrates on Sunday, April 14, where the severity of the charge was laid bare. Nguyen has been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings. A formal plea is expected in the coming days, with detectives continuing their investigation into the events that led to Vu’s tragic death.

“This is a devastating incident,” said Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Stanley from the Met Police’s Specialist Crime Command. “We are working to understand the full circumstances behind this woman’s death and are providing support to her loved ones at this time.”

Neighbours on Hatfield Close described the couple as private and quiet, with no obvious signs of domestic turmoil. “We never expected anything like this to happen here,” one resident shared. “They kept to themselves mostly, but this has shocked the whole street.”

While police have not yet released further details about the cause of death or a possible motive, the investigation remains active. Forensics teams were seen entering the New Cross property throughout the weekend, and officers have continued canvassing the area for witnesses or surveillance footage that may provide additional clues.

The tragedy has reignited concerns around domestic violence and the often-hidden nature of such incidents. Local organisations have called for renewed efforts to ensure resources and support systems are available for those who may be at risk behind closed doors.

New Cross residents, many still reeling from the shock, gathered outside the home to lay flowers and pay their respects. The murder charge has left the community grappling with grief and unanswered questions.

As the legal process unfolds, the spotlight now turns to the courts and the next steps in what appears to be a tragic case of domestic violence. Nguyen is expected to face a full hearing later this month, where more details may emerge about what transpired in the moments leading up to Vu’s death.

For now, the home on Hatfield Close remains cordoned off—its silence a grim echo of a life cut short, and a marriage now at the centre of a murder investigation.