The 22-year-old was found dead on Saturday hours after posting on Facebook. Bethany was an aspiring singer and ‘shining star’ to her family
An aspiring singer dubbed ‘a shining star’ by her family has died after falling from the Heron building in London, sparking a police murder investigation.
Bethany-Maria Beales was found with ‘significant’ injuries on Saturday and died at the trendy apartment block on Moor Lane, where flats cost between £500,000 and £10m.
City of London Police said two people, a man and a woman both aged 38, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation.
The Heron building, where Bethany is believed to have been before she was found dead, is in the sought after Barbican area and comprises of luxury apartments and a private club.
The exclusive 35-storey building offers residents a 24-hour concierge service, a garden terrace, a cinema and a gym.
Unconfirmed reports have claimed she fell from the 19th floor and was found in an ‘open’ terrace area on the sixth floor.
Hours before her death Bethany who studied at the University of Roehampton posted on Facebook about being overwhelmed at seeing singer The Weeknd.
Miss Beales’ family said in a statement: ‘Beth was a kind, funny, loyal, intelligent, talented and stunningly beautiful person who changed the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her and lucky enough to be loved by her.
‘She was more than a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, stepsister, step-auntie, god-daughter or friend. She was the world to us all.
Images have shown damage to the building where Bethany-Maria Beales died. It is not clear if the glass was damaged in the incident
Aspiring singer Bethany Maria Beales was found dead after falling from a luxury apartment block on Saturday, hours after posting happily on Facebook about seeing singer The Weeknd
The Heron building, (centre) Moorgate, London, where 22 year old Bethany-Maria Beales fell to her death
Bethany-Maria Beales, 22, died after falling from the Heron building in London’d Barbican
The Heron building in London where Bethany, 22, is believed to have spent the final moments of her life
‘She was the world to us’ heartbroken family of Bethany-Maria Beales pays tribute to the aspiring singer after her death
Police are treating the death of 22-year-old Bethany-Maria Beales as suspicious. She wrote on Facebook just hours before her death
Bethany posted about seeing The Weeknd on Facebook hours before she was found dead at the base of Heron building
‘She had the brightest smile and the most beautiful singing voice. She was our songbird. She had an amazing talent that, if it had been seen by the world, would have become known to millions.
‘To say we will miss her does not come close to describing how we feel. Our world will never be as bright again now that our shining star has gone.’
Ms Beales, who studied drama at the University of Roehampton, described herself on one website at the age of 18 as an ‘actor, extra, dancer, teacher/choreographer, singer.’
Bethany-Maria Beales was in her element in the hours before her death as she told friends on Facebook she just bumped into singer The Weeknd in London
Just weeks before her death Bethany had written on Facebook about how a promoter had refused her entry to a club based on her looks.
The incident at Bonbonniere in Soho, London clearly upset the aspiring singer. The club describes itself as ‘a popular destination for London’s VIP clubbers and celebrities including Paris Hilton, Will.I.Am, Nicole Scherzinger, Tinie Tempah and Jordan Dunn.’
As a result of Bethany being turned away scores of people took to Facebook to rant at the venue.
An incident at Bonbonniere in London was reported by student publications after Bethany-Maria Beales said she was refused entry based on her size and looks
Bethany-Maria Beales, 22, was an aspiring singer but died tragically after falling from the Heron building
Paying tribute on Facebook friend Joe Kozak wrote: ‘In the blink of an eye life can be taken from us. You were a beautiful, intelligent, funny and sassy individual who many called a friend. You will be sorely missed and the world has lost a little bit of its glitter. Sleep tight and fly high.’
Another friend Suzie Ozcan said: ‘Bethany-Maria Beales rest in heavenly peace to the most kind hearted, beautiful soul I had ever met. I am so sad to see this news. Such a young and talented soul!’
Elizabeth Minto Das wrote: ‘You were the most beautiful and wonderful soul I ever had the pleasure of knowing, I miss texting you every day and sharing crazy stories together, I miss seeing you every few days, I can’t believe I won’t have you in my life anymore, we had so much planned and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, I just want to see you again. I miss you.’
The City of London Police have arrested two people on suspicion of murder after Bethany’s body was found near to the Heron building
Detective Chief Inspector Edelle Michaels appealed for witnesses to come forward.
She said: ‘We would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to Bethany’s family and friends at this difficult time and reassure them we are doing everything we can to determine the circumstances of this tragic incident.
‘Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or may have information which can assist our investigation is asked to contact police as soon as possible.
‘We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the Heron building, or the vicinity, on Saturday that may have seen or heard something.’
Deaths of this kind are rare in the Square Mile and this is the first murder investigation that the force has launched in three years.
Both of those arrested have been conditionally bailed pending further investigation.
Anyone with information can call police on 0207 601 2222 or Crimestoppers anonymously online or on 0800 555 111.
What and where is the Heron building?
The Heron building in Barbican where apartments cost up to £10million
The exclusive 35-storey Heron building which offers ‘panoramic views’ of the city is located in the cosmopolitan Barbican area of London.
Properties in the block, which is minutes from fashionable hotspots such as Hoxton Square and Clerkenwell, cost between £500,000 and £10million.
Amenities at The Heron include a 24-hour concierge service, a private residents club, a private garden terrace, a cinema and a gym.
Estate agents Savills market the building as being in a ‘safe’ part of the city.
It states: ‘The Square Mile is quoted as a safe place to live and work by the City of London Government website. The clientele are mainly working professionals therefore crime rates are very low in this area.’
The apartments are bought mainly by city workers, Savills said.
Heron building is 0.1miles from Moorgate Station.
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