Verdict change leads to new murder inquiry

New evidence emerges as to how Maja Trajkovic was killed

Police will be looking to reopen their investigation into the death of a young woman following a reconsideration of the original inquest verdict by a Coroner. Originally an inquest hearing had concluded that the death of Maja Trajkovic was due to opiate poisoning. The 21 year old woman's body was found on Wilkinson Way on the border of Acton and Chiswick. However, Coroner Sean McGovern has now recorded an open verdict in the case.

Experts witnesses in the original hearing had concluded that the amount of heroin in Maja's blood stream could have killed her but police remained convinced she was murdered. They presented new forensic evidence that had come to light since the original inquest. Detective Chief Inspector Charlie McMurdie said that the man she believes to be responsible had a particular method to his attacks.

Maja's mother, Branka, who lives in Horn Lane in Acton was reported as saying, "I'm so pleased with this result. I am just going to carry on being hopeful and I am quite sure whoever did this to my daughter will be charged. I know the police will not let go of this and neither will I."

The last confirmed sighting of Maja was in the early hours of Wednesday 11th September 2002 by a police officer in Acton High Street. Her body was discovered by a member of the public in a grassy courtyard area underneath low lying trees on the 15th September. It is believed the body may have been there for a number of days. Maja was 21 and lived at 18 Chatsworth Gardens, Acton. A initial post mortem at Ealing mortuary failed to establish a cause of death. The results of toxicology tests found heroin or methadone present in the Maja's body.

A 35 year old man was later arrested in High Wycombe in connection with the suspicious death but was released without charges.

The Ealing Gazette have quoted a 'police source' who claims the death was murder. The allegation is that Nurlon Abdrokov, who is currently serving an 11 year service for attacks on women, including one in the Acton area just prior to Maja's death, could have been responsible.

If you have information relevant to this crime you are asked to call 020 8358 0600.  

March 25, 2005