'The first I knew was when the police turned up. I certainly didn't hear anything last night.

They were a lovely couple, I never once saw or heard them argue. Neighbour and friend, Kartar Singh Panesar, 87, told MailOnline: 'I just don't know what happened or why. The three-floor end terrace home of Ms Devi and her husband Tarsame Singh was today cordoned off by police. 'This has really left us all numb because Maya was the gentlest, kindest and most wonderful lady.' 'There was never any mention of any unhappiness or unpleasantness at home, so I'm shocked that this has happened to her. 'She had the best smile and a little glint in her eye. 'She came to our lunches and picnics and loved the seaside outings to places like Eastbourne and Hastings. To begin with she was quiet and fairly withdrawn but gradually she came out of her shell and was full of so much fun and happiness. 'She would turn up at least four days a week. Manjit Singh, HASWA's project development officer, said: 'Maya had been coming here for the last four-years and was a really popular member. More recently she helped out at HASWA, of which her husband is a former director, and she was one of the organisers of the Vaisakhi celebrations at the centre at the weekend. She and her husband ran the post office in Rainham, Essex, before retiring a few years ago. Ms Devi was originally from India but had been living in Britain for more than 50-years. I saw her just a few hours before her death, it doesn't seem real that I won't see her again.' 'I can't believe this has happened and that she has gone. She loved singing as much as yoga and had a smile for everyone. 'Maya was such a lovely lady, really warm-hearted. 'She had come to the community centre for yoga, which she did every week, and told me that she wouldn't be in from Wednesday as she was going to Lanzarote for six days with a female friend. In fact she was excited as she was going on holiday next week. Ms Leal told MailOnline: 'I spoke to Maya yesterday afternoon, about 1.30pm, and she seemed to be in a good mood. Today it emerged that Ms Devi was due to go on holiday to Lanzarote next weekĬlose friend, Nirmala Leal, an outreach worker at HASWA, saw her just hours before she was found dead.

Mistress of the art of death