A man on crutches could hold vital clues to the mysterious final moments of the talented 18-year-old triplet Cheryl Wheeler, who died this week.

The man was seen in a dark-coloured convertible car, possibly a BMW, leaving the flat in Church Road, Worcester Park where Cheryl was found lying unconscious at 7.10pm on Saturday.

Miss Wheeler was in a critical condition when she was taken by ambulance to Kingston Hospital, where she died at 12.25pm on Tuesday.

A male friend found her lying unconscious inside her flat and described getting into an argument with the man on crutches, who he did not know, and had met outside Cheryl's flat.

The man got into a car driven by a second man, described as about 40 years old and Asian or Oriental, and police have appealed for witnesses who may have seen them leave.

Over the years, Cheryl featured regularly in the Surrey Comet - sister newspaper of This is Local London - along with her triplet sisters Kelly-Marie and Kirsty, who celebrated their 18th birthdays last October.

The first graced the Comet pages in 1987. At six weeks old, the girls still had their hospital tags on so parents Annette and Pat could tell them apart, particularly identical twins Kirsty and Kelly-Marie.

They featured, dressed as the three kings, on their first Christmas and again on their first birthday, when a love for bopping along to Elvis came to light.

All three were artistically talented and Cheryl had been studying music at a college in Sutton.

The family lived in Barnfield Gardens, Kingston and it is understood that Cheryl moved into her housing association flat in Worcester Park a few weeks ago.

Neighbours say they did not hear anything until the police arrived at about 8pm.

Miss Wheeler's ground floor flat was partly boarded up on Monday, with broken glass visible outside the rear entrance.

One neighbour said: "She seemed like a lovely girl. She's only been here a few weeks so I didn't get to know her."

Another neighbour said: "We don't usually get trouble around here. It's very quiet and residential."

  • A 39-year-old man was arrested at midday on Monday, and held in police custody for questioning.

He was later released on police bail to return in September.

Police said it was still not clear whether Miss Wheeler had been assaulted.

They are appealing for witnesses or anyone who knew Miss Wheeler to come forward, as well as both the man on crutches and the driver of the car.

Call the Kingston Police Control Room on 0208 541 1212. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.