A shop owner stabbed to death during a “vicious” robbery was from Watford.

Ravi Katharkamar, 54, who died from a stab wound to the chest at a newsagent in Marsh Road, Pinner, at around 6am on Sunday (March 24), lived in the town – according to Metropolitan Police.

Watford Observer:

Police in Marsh Road

The Daily Mail reported he was a father-of-two who worshipped at the Velmurugan Hindu Temple in Exchange Road.

Mr Katharkamar was found by a member of the public stabbed inside the newsagent early that morning. It is believed the victim was opening the shop at the time of the attack.

The London Ambulance Service was summoned but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.46am.

Formal identification of his body was made by his next of kin at Northwick Park Mortuary yesterday.

Watford Observer:

Forensic police working the scene

A string of fundraising appeals have since been launched to try and help Mr Katharkamar's grieving family.

Police said a till was stolen from the shop during the robbery and a black Vauxhall Astra was seen driving away at speed, south down Cecil Park in Pinner.

Detectives have launched a murder investigation. No arrests have been made.

Pinner business owner Peter Brook, 55, who lives nearby, said: "When someone actually violates your community, people will be shocked. I know the other traders I've spoken to are thinking 'there but for the grace of God go the rest of us'."

He added: "People sometimes don't appreciate the people who come out at 5am to deliver a service to the local community. When people like that are murdered going about their job it's such a tragedy."

Watford Observer:

The head priest at Mr Katharkamar's temple, Sundar Rasiah, told the Daily Mail: “Ravi would come in and pray every Friday morning. He was a very generous man, he donated £1,200 of his own money to fund a statue of the deity Bhairavar.

“He had a wife - Vignarani - and two sons and lived in Watford. I don't know the events that morning, but we are devastated at his loss. He will be missed by everyone here.”

Watford Observer:

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe added: “This was a vicious and unwarranted attack on a completely innocent man. Ravi's attacker got away with a few pounds, but he leaves behind a family utterly devastated and a close-knit community asking who could do such a thing.

"I am keen to hear from anyone who has information about a black Vauxhall Astra that the attacker used to flee the scene.”

Officers remain in the area and are available should people have concerns or information they wish to pass on.

Anyone with information can also contact the incident room number on 0208 358 0200, via 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD1653/24Mar.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.