Dead woman’s Deptford flat used as ‘drugs and guns’ den

BY JAMES TWOMEY
james@slpmedia.co.uk

The flat of a woman who was found dead at the property after being strangled may have been used by a gang to stash their drugs and guns.

Zoe Orton, 46, was found dead in her flat in McMillan Street, Deptford on October 21 and reportedly fell foul of drug use and the gang that supplied them.

It has been reported that her ex-boyfriend, Anselmo Colsoul, 47, from Eltham, tried to convince her to turn her life around but she was “fighting these demons of addiction”.

Mr Colsoul said: “I tried to convince her to move away and start a new life.

“She had faith. She was a woman with a great heart, very intelligent but unfortunately she was involved with the wrong people.

“Her family is from Welling, she comes from a good background. She used to be like a secretary for a very well known solicitors firm in London.

“It’s one of the cases of drug addiction that a person changes so much. She always regretted the fact it happened.

“It’s proof that it can happen to anyone, it doesn’t matter where your background is.”

Mr Colsoul added: “They used to use her flat as a safehouse. They used to put their weapons stash there in case another gang tried to rob them.

“She used to bring anyone in, she was trusting.

“They offered her drugs. She was working for them but she was intimidated as well.

“They are deadly, these gangs.”

A man who lived in the same block of flats as Ms Orton but did not want to be named, said: “I didn’t even know there was a woman living there.

“But there were always two men hanging around outside. It was very strange.”

A post-mortem gave the cause of death given as neck compression and there were no arrests at time of going to print.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4961 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.