Heir to famous London bagel shop 'arrested over knife murder of mother and sister'

Joshua Cohen, 27, arrested after two women were found suffering from fatal stab wounds in their Golders Green home

The man was found in a nearby park on Friday afternoon (Metropolitan Police)

A man believed to be the son of the owner of one of London’s most popular bagel shops has been arrested after a mother and daughter were found stabbed to death inside their north London home.

Officers were called to the house in Golders Green on Friday night to reports of two injured women and found the victims, aged 33 and 66, suffering from stab wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Joshua Cohen, 27, who is reported to be the victims’ brother and son, was arrested the following day after police launched a manhunt and he was spotted in Golders Hill Park by a member of the public at around 2pm.

In a public appeal before he was detained, Met Police said Mr Cohen had shaved his head and eyebrows and suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.

The Cohen family are said to be the long-time owners of the 24-hour Beigel Bake, an institution in East London’s Brick Lane famous for its salt beef bagels.

A member of staff at the store confirmed to The Independent that it is owned by the Cohen family, but wouldn’t provide any further information.

Detective Inspector Ian Lott from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “Following a recent media appeal, a discerning member of the public alerted police to a real-time sighting and officers moved quickly to detain and arrest the man wanted for questioning shortly before 2pm.

“This was a devastating attack on two women in their homes. Our investigation is ongoing.”

A crime scene remains in place at the house and post mortem examinations will be scheduled in due course, the Met police said in a statement.

Detective chief superintendent Simon Rose from Barnet said: “High visibility foot patrols have been stepped up in the area and police will be on hand to listen and respond to community concerns.

“We will continue to work with the CST and keep them fully updated with significant developments.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0208 358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111