A MAN in his fifties died after an attack at a suspected brothel in south London today.
Witnesses said the victim is thought to have run the establishment which is in a flat above a row of shops in Lewisham. Police said they were called to the address in Loampit Hill at 2.25am. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Two women were at the flat when officers arrived and they were both arrested on suspicion of murder. They were being interviewed at a police
station.
The victim is said to have suffered a number of injuries in the assault. It is not clear if there was a weapon involved.
One witness said the flat was run as a brothel and a number of eastern European women were said to live or work at the address.
The witness said the murder was a "row over money". A CCTV camera had been installed outside the premises which allowed people inside to see who was coming in.
Detectives say they are keeping an open mind about the motive and they are trying to establish if anyone else was in the flat at the time.
A number of houses in Loampit Hill near the junction of Elswick Road were cordoned off by police.
Forensic science officers were at the scene this morning and detectives appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Scotland Yard said it believed it knew the identity of the victim but was trying to trace his family. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
One man, who said he was a relative of the dead man, said he had been at the police station to speak to officers.
He added: "It is madness, madness. He lived and worked at the flat and yes it was a brothel. I have heard this was all about money."
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