‘Aspiring lawyer’ killed in opportunistic stranger attack
A LAW graduate killed in a suspected random street attack has been named as Zara Aleena.
She died in hospital on Sunday morning after being found with serious head injuries.
Police said a 29-year-old man was arrested at an address near the scene in Ilford, east London, yesterday. He remains in custody.
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s such a shock, she was such a lovely person.
“She used to look after the old folks who lived down the road.
“We are going round to help her parents at this terrible time. Her parents are elderly and very upset.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene by the ambulance service at 2.44am.
A post-mortem revealed that Ms Aleena, 35, said to be an aspiring lawyer, suffered multiple serious injuries. No weapons are thought to have been used.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads the Met’s East Area basic command unit, said she was the victim of an “opportunist stranger attack”.
He added: “We are keeping Zara’s family up to date with progress and my heartfelt condolences are with them at this terrible time.”
He said Ms Aleena’s loved ones are being looked after by specialist officers but added: “I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling now”.
In a statement, the force said: “Following a fast-moving investigation, officers have arrested a 29-yearold man on suspicion of murder.”
Yesterday neighbours spoke of their distress. One said: “I came home about that time, we had just been to an Ed Sheeran concert.
“I heard screaming but I didn’t know whether it was a child or a fox.
“I didn’t think much of it. It’s a shock because at 2am it was still busy with lots of cars.”
Another neighbour said: “It’s terrifying. I won’t go out after dark now, it’s just too scary.
Shock
“It’s just horrific to think this happened so close to home.
“I got up and saw flashing lights at three in the morning and heard the helicopter and a police dog.When we found out we were just in shock.”
A cordon remains in place at the scene, close to Valentines Park.
Sam Tarry, Labour MP for Ilford South, said: “This is incredibly shocking. People are going be very fearful. It looks like it’s been a very random attack. Ilford isn’t somewhere where people generally are fearful about going about their business.
“Like any part of London, low-level crime is always an issue – but this is something out of the ordinary.
“My message to my constituents is we will do everything to remember this woman who’s lost her life in this horrendous way.
“We may look at putting on a vigil, something to make sure our community all pulls together because people will be very scared.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m heartbroken by the murder of Zara Aleena, who had her whole life ahead of her.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and the community who are devastated by her death.”