Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a silent vigil dedicated to aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena who was murdered while walking home from a night out with friends.
The law graduate was just minutes from her home on Cranbrook Road, Ilford, when she was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, June 26.
On Saturday, nearly a week after her death, a memorial service hosted by Ms Aleena’s family followed the walk home the 35-year-old is said to have taken.
Farah Naz, a relative who tearfully addressed the media earlier this week, stopped just yards from the family home and thanked the crowd for participating in the walk.
“She was on her way home, thank you so much for taking the walk and taking her into your heart, praying for her and keeping her on this journey,” she said.
“Right now we ask you to go home and thank you so much for being here today because this is our Zara, this is our issue, this is something we all need to change, it must never happen again. Thank you for being there.’
The majority of those walking along Cranbrook Road wore white clothing as requested by the family, others held flowers and pictures of Mrs Aleena in the air.
Dozens of other mourners left bouquets of flowers and cards in tribute to the last high-profile victim of violence against women in the capital.
Roads in the area have been closed to allow the mob to make the 10-minute journey from the scene of the attack to her home.
Hundreds of mourners have gathered at a silent vigil dedicated to aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena who was killed walking home from a night out with friends
Many of those who walked along Cranbrook Road wore white clothes while mourners left dozens of bouquets of flowers and cards in tribute to Ms Aleena
Dozens of people took to Twitter to share their support with Ms Aleena’s family
Police have said they believe Ms Aleena was the victim of an ‘opportunistic alien attack’
Those attending the vigil met opposite Cranbrook Rise in Ilford at 1.30pm before starting the walk at 2.17pm – a reflection of the time in the morning on June 26 when Ms Aleena was attacked.
Her family asked those in attendance to wear white and remain “quiet and gloomy” as “we walk home with Zara in our hearts.”
In anticipation of Ms. Aleena’s silent vigil, women are sharing photos of their shoes on social media using the hashtag #SafelyHomeInOurShoes.
The Londoner was on her way home from a night out when she was dragged, kicked and stomped, prosecutors said.
An autopsy revealed she had suffered multiple serious injuries.
Flower tribute was left on the scene in Cranbrook Road, Ilford, where Zara Aleena was attacked in the early hours of Sunday morning
Miss Aleena was dragged into the driveway – just 10 minutes from her home – before being kicked and stamped, prosecutors claim
Ms. Aleena’s maternal aunt, Farah Naz, said her “independent” and “generous” niece was “the joy, the light of our home,” and spoke of the family’s determination to “change something” in honor of the ‘extrovert’.
She told reporters on Friday: “I don’t think there’s going to be a shutdown, this is just the beginning of the conversation we need to have.
“I want to reach out and do something important and act because that’s what Zara was about – we need to change something.
“I want to speak to the leaders of this country, I want to talk now about setting up projects to prevent violence.”
The wake takes the form of a silent walk, following the route Mrs. Aleena had taken but could never complete, “to bring her safely back to where she belonged.”
The alleged murderer Jordan McSweeney allegedly dragged the 35-year-old law graduate into a driveway in the early hours of Sunday morning and repeatedly stomped on her after he tried to rape her, the Old Bailey learned yesterday.
Police have said they believe Ms Aleena was the victim of an “opportunistic attack by a stranger”.
McSweeney, of Dagenham, east London, is also charged with robbing the lawyer of her cell phone, keys and handbag, and attempted unauthorized penetration, the court heard.
He is charged with murder, theft and attempted rape.