Agnė Druskiene, 40, of Lithuanian descent, was pronounced dead at the scene after being found with stab injuries in Cranham Road on Saturday (October 18) at around 1am.
Her 43-year-old husband Augustinas Druskis, of Cranham Road, has been charged with murder and appeared in court on Monday (October 20).
Since news of her death, there has been an “incredible wave of compassion” throughout the Lithuanian community as thousands have felt heartbroken over the news.
The mum-of-three has left behind two teenage sons and her 19-year-old daughter.
Alvija Černiauskaitė, chair of the Lithuanian Community group in the UK, said she felt that she had to take action and support the grieving children following the murder – explaining that it “deeply moved everyone”.
Ms Černiauskaitė said: “Her loss has been felt far beyond those who personally knew her — many in the community expressed that they feel as though they’ve lost one of their own.
“The incredible wave of compassion has once again shown how strong and united the Lithuanian community can be, standing shoulder to shoulder when one of us faces unimaginable pain.”
She decided to set up a fundraiser, with £34,256 raised by over a thousand donors in a matter of days– way over the £10,000 goal.
The chair says that this is due to the Lithuanian community showing “remarkable unity and compassion”.
According to Ms Černiauskaitė, the initial goal was actually reached in just a few hours since the campaign launched, “demonstrating how deeply people were touched by the family’s loss”.
She added: “She was known for her warmth, kindness, and dedication to her family and friends, but her loss has been felt far beyond those who personally knew her.”
“Even far from home, our community stands together in times of sorrow,” she concluded.
In the GoFundMe page, Agnė was described as “a loving, devoted mother” and a “kind-hearted neighbour”.
The description continued: “A person whose smile warmed, whose hug soothed, and whose heart never tired of sharing love with those around her.”
The fundraiser added that her children were “left without the most important person – their mother”.
It said: “It’s not just loss. It’s an endless pain, silence, and emptiness that nothing can fill.”
Druskis had his first hearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court today.
Represented by Paul Martin and Co Solicitors, he did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody until his next hearing.
He appeared at the Old Bailey on today (October 22) at 10am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
