The mother of slain Nigerian-born Damilola Taylor, Mrs. Gloria Taylor, died on Tuesday of a heart attack. The 57-year-old collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack while walking with her husband, Richard, near her home in Shooters Hill, south-east London. Her son, Damilola, 10, had bled to death on a stairwell on the North Peckham estate in south London in November 2000 after being stabbed in the leg with a broken beer bottle.
The Press Association of London reported that the 57-year-old woman collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack while walking near her home in Shooters Hill, south-east London.
Colleagues at the Damilola Taylor Trust, which she founded with husband, Richard, in 2001, said she had been feeling unwell for more than a week.
A British internet publication, Greenwich, said the police were called to reports of a woman taken ill in the street at 7.50pm on Tuesday. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said she was taken to a south London hospital with a suspected heart attack and was pronounced dead a short time later.
A post-mortem examination is expected in due course, the British Broadcasting Corporation quoted the unnamed spokesman as saying. He added that the incident was not being treated as suspicious.
UK Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said his thoughts and those of ”many, many” colleagues were with the Taylor family. He said, “I’m sure that, like me, many people were moved by the dignified and impressive way that Gloria and Richard Taylor dealt with the tragedy of Damilola‘s terrible death and the high profile inquiries that followed it.
“I know that their fortitude throughout the three criminal trials, together with their almost unshakeable faith that the truth would be known, was a great comfort and inspiration to Metropolitan Police officers and staff who worked so hard on the investigations.”
London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, who has worked closely with both Mrs Taylor and her husband, Richard, said he was deeply saddened. He said, “I was always struck by her dignity, courage and determination to give hope and opportunity for young people in London.”
The late Gloria dedicated her life to helping underprivileged young people after the death of her son almost eight years ago. Her son’s killers, Danny and Rickie Preddie, are serving eight-year terms.
After her son’s death, she dedicated her life to working for underprivileged young people. The Damilola Taylor Trust was launched to mark the first anniversary of Damilola‘s death in November 2001 and she said it aimed to provide hope and opportunities for Britain‘s ”downtrodden and underprivileged youth.”
By Agency reporter
The Punch
Thursday, April 10, 2008
