Keith Van Cooten was on his knees as he took a lift to the seventh floor

A MAN who fell to his death after being linked to the murder of a mother-of-two from Wembley was seen praying seconds before he died.

The body of Keith Van Cooten, 44, was found at the bottom of Torridon House in Randolph Gardens, Kilburn, an hour after 34-year-old Amanda Farquharson was stabbed to death in her car in Minet Avenue, Harlesden, on Friday evening at 6.30pm.

Mr Van Cooten, who is believed to be a former partner of Ms Farquharson, lived in Lewisham, south London, not in the seven-storey block of flats.

According to a resident in Torridon House, who wishes to remain anonymous, Mr Van Cooten was seen on his knees praying in a lift which took him to the top floor where he fell to his death.

Detectives who are investigating both deaths are trawling through CCTV footage in and around Torridon House to piece together Mr Cooten movements before he fell.

Shortly before the discovery of Ms Farquharson’s body, she was seen sitting in her black Toyota Yaris having a heated argument with a man.

The man is described as being black, around 6ft tall with a slim build and a goatee beard.

He was wearing a dark coloured hooded top, blue or grey jeans and a cream coloured baseball cap with blue writing on it.

Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire, who is leading the murder hunt, is appealing for anyone one who may have spotted Ms Farquharson in her car to come forward.

She said: “This is a tragic murder that has deprived two children of their mother, and a family of its daughter and we are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about the murder to contact us.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Minet Avenue area Friday evening who may have seen or heard the argument in Amanda’s car or may have seen what happened after it.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.