A would-be lawyer who was murdered by a ‘stranger’ on his way home in a ‘random attack’ late at night has been named by police, while a 29-year-old man has been arrested today on suspicion of murder.
Zara Aleena, 35, was found Sunday morning with serious head injuries in Redbridge, Ilford and the Met Police have since launched a murder investigation.
She was attacked by a stranger as she walked along Cranbrook Road towards Gants Hill Station and the main street, as shocked neighbors revealed how they heard loud screams after the attack.
Police have named and pictured the tragic victim today – just before announcing that a man, 29, had been arrested on suspicion of murdering her.
London Ambulance, who called the police at 2:44 am, took Ms Aleena to hospital where she later died.
Her family has been notified of her death after she was ambushed and brutally attacked by the stranger.
Zara, who lived near where she was found, died of multiple injuries, but police said no weapons have been found as they continued the probe.
IMAGE: Aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena, 35, was murdered in the early hours of Sunday morning in Ilford, east London
Police continue to operate in Cranbrook Road, Redbridge, after Zara Aleena was murdered Sunday morning
Zara Aleena was attacked while walking towards Gants Hill Station and Main Street
Chief Supt Stuart Bell described the killing in a statement today as “tragic” and said a full investigation is underway.
And local MP Sam Tarry said the murder was “something extraordinary” for his constituents.
At Ilford Police Station, he said: ‘I can confirm that, pending formal identification, we believe the victim is a local 35-year-old woman named Zara Aleena.
At 2:44 a.m. on Sunday, June 26, Met officers were called by the London Ambulance Service for a seriously injured woman found by members of the public in Cranbrook Road, Ilford.
“The woman, who we believe is Zara, had suffered serious head injuries and despite the best efforts of paramedics and doctors at the hospital, she died later Sunday morning.
‘Zara, who lived nearby, was walking along Cranbrook Road towards Gants Hill Station when she was attacked’
“It is now believed that she was the victim of an attack by a stranger.
Her family is aware of this and will continue to be updated and supported as the investigation progresses.
“A special autopsy has been performed. Zara suffered multiple serious injuries that contributed to her death.
“There is currently no evidence that weapons were used during the attack.”
He added: “We will keep Zara’s family informed of our progress and my sincere condolences are with them at this terrible time.
“They are supported by specialized agents, but I can’t imagine the pain they must feel.
“Resources from around the Met are being used to help us identify who was responsible and the murder investigation is developing rapidly.
“Our priority is to catch the culprit as quickly as possible and for that reason there are some aspects of the investigation that I won’t go into in detail.
“Since the attack, officers have worked hourly to learn more about the circumstances – we are determined to catch those responsible.”
He said that to full forensic investigation of the crime scene and surrounding area – while agents conduct door-to-door investigations.
The Met has closed the road and placed a barrier on the scene, urging women to be “alert” but not “alarmed” by the attack.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘I am heartbroken by the [death] from Zara Aleena who had her whole life ahead of her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and the entire community devastated by her death.
‘I have regular contact with the police who work around the clock and there is now a man in custody on suspicion of murder. There will be a large police presence in the area in the coming days.
“It is understandable that women living in the area and on the other side of London will feel sad and anxious after this horrific attack and the death of another woman at the hands of a man.”
Labor MP for Ilford Sam Tarry said: ‘Cranbrook Road is part of my constituency.
“At first glance, it looks like a random attack. This is something extraordinary.
‘And for that reason the Met and the municipality move heaven and earth to ensure the safety of people and to put the perpetrator behind bars.
“My message to my constituents is that we will do everything we can to remember this woman who was killed in the most horrific way.
“We want our community to be free from fear and go about their daily business.
‘People need to be reassured, there is a flood of police on the street.
“I don’t think people should bow or be scared, but of course people will get scared.
“I would say to people, check your cameras, your dashcams, every little clue can help.”
Labor frontbench MP Wes Streeting, who said she was one of his constituents in Ilford North, also paid tribute to the 35-year-old.
Mr Streeting said: ‘Police have named the victim of Sunday morning’s murder as my 35-year-old voter Zara Aleena.
“I am heartbroken for her family and send those who loved and knew her my deepest condolences.”
A neighbor said today: ‘I came home about that time, we had just been to an Ed Sheeran concert.
‘I heard screams, but I didn’t know whether it was a child or a fox. I didn’t like it much. It’s a shock as it was still busy at 2am with a lot of cars.’
She said the police called her home and told her father that the woman was Asian and that they were looking for a white man.
Forensic officers were seen with a black tarpaulin to a house where the attack took place.
Numerous side streets have also been cordoned off and police have expanded the area with tape to make it even wider.
The Met has closed the road and placed a barrier on the spot, urging women to be ‘alert’ but not ‘alerted’ by the attack
Another neighbor said: ‘It is terrifying to think that a murderer is on the loose and that women are being warned to be careful. I’m not going out in the dark right now, it’s just too scary. It’s just awful to think this happened so close to home.
He said: ‘I got up and saw flashing lights at 3 am and heard the helicopter and a police dog. When we found out what had happened, we were just in shock.
‘There’s a house with decorative posts outside, that’s what it said. When you live on such a main road, you don’t know anyone.’
Meanwhile, a local restaurant owner claimed his sisters who live in Afghanistan are “safer” than those who live in certain areas of London.
Tajik Ahmed, who has lived in Gants Hill for more than 20 years, says the area is “getting worse and worse”.
The Met Police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of the victim who was found this morning with serious head injuries in Redbridge, Ilford. Pictured: the cordon and forensics on site
He added: ‘When I first moved here there was still crime, then it got better, but in recent years it seems to have gotten worse. I have two sisters, but they both live in Afghanistan. I think they’re safer there than in some parts of London.’
Another Cranbrook Road resident, a 60-year-old father, said he was “concerned” for other women in the area after the deadly attack, but he believes the area is generally safe.
Subhash said, ‘I have lived in the area for 15 years and this is the first time this kind of serious incident has happened in this area.
“This happened last night. I was fast asleep, but then I heard the helicopter around 3 am. I thought something must have happened.’
Retired Diana Nesen, 82, said: ‘I came out of my house to find a crime scene. The whole place was cordoned off.
“It’s really a tragedy, you don’t expect something like this to happen on a road like this – it’s terrible.
“We don’t know who she was, but she must have walked to the station early in the morning. But the trains weren’t running, so maybe she was a local too.
‘It makes you feel more vulnerable. I hope they catch the killer.”
Another resident Mubasher Khan, 45, said: ‘I heard screams on Sunday morning and thought it was someone who was drunk.
“Then around 3.10 am I saw flashing lights and someone from the police someone at my door and asked for my CCTV.
“But the camera only covered the disc, so it didn’t help much. This morning I heard about it and the girl who died.’
She was attacked while walking along Cranbrook Road towards Gants Hill Station and the main street. Pictured: Police talking to a driver as they close the road
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Met’s Specialist Crime North Command, is leading the investigation and said: “It is vital that my agents speak to every possible witness and anyone with information that can assist with the investigation.
“We are calling on anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area of Ilford between 2am and 3am on Sunday morning to contact us, including anyone who has driven through the area and may have dashcam footage.
“We also want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the wider Ilford area last night.”