Reported by The Times a couple of hours ago.A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was killed in the street in what is believed to be an opportunist stranger attack in east London.
Zara Aleena, 36, is believed to have been walking home when a lone male approached her from behind and attacked her in what police described as a “horrific assault” in Ilford.
Neighbours on the quiet terraced road in east London said they had been told that Aleena was a smartly dressed woman of south Asian heritage who had been battered to death after a serious sexual assault.
Forensics officers examine the scene in east London
Forensics officers examine the scene in east London
MARCIN NOWAK/LNP
Officers have told The Times that a 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The case comes after the murders of Sarah Everard, 33, and Sabina Nessa, 28, two young women who were attacked by strangers while out alone in London last year.
Scotland Yard has increased the police presence in the area to provide reassurance to residents. Detectives are investigating after Aleena was hit over the head at about 2.44am on Sunday in Cranbrook Road. She died in hospital of serious head injuries.
One resident said his friend, who lives in the house overlooking the scene, had discovered video of the incident from security cameras and passed it to the police. “It was horrific really. We’re not really sure who the woman is. We heard that she was Asian,” he said.
Police seek information from local residents
Police seek information from local residents
MARCIN NOWAK/LNP
One woman near the police cordon said she heard a scream but did not realise what was going on at first.
Asking not to be named, a neighbour 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.”
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads the Met’s East Area basic command unit, said: “We are keeping Zara’s family up to date with our progress and my heartfelt condolences are with them at this terrible time.
“Local people will see a significant police presence in the area today and in the coming days. I understand that for women, particularly locally, this is an incredibly distressing incident, and I urge you to be alert but not alarmed.”
