Police have identified the young woman who was slain in a late-night “random attack” while walking home. A 29-year-old male was today detained on suspicion of murder.
The Met Police have opened a murder investigation after 35-year-old Zara Aleena was discovered on Sunday morning in Redbridge, Ilford, with serious head injuries.
As frightened neighbors described how they heard loud screams after the attack, she was attacked by a stranger while walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station and the high street.
Just before revealing that a man, 29, had been detained on suspicion of her murder, the police today identified and released a photograph of the tragic victim.
Ms. Aleena was taken to a hospital where she eventually passed away by London Ambulance, who also contacted the police to the incident at 2.44 a.m.
Her death has been reported to her relatives after the stranger surprised her and attacked her viciously.
Zara, who lived close to where she was discovered, passed away from many injuries, however police say no weapons have yet been discovered as they continue their investigation.
Chief Supt. Stuart Bell called the murder “tragic” in a statement released today and said a thorough investigation was ongoing.
The murder, according to local MP Sam Tarry, was “something out of the ordinary” for his constituents.
Speaking at Ilford Police Station, he said: ‘I can confirm that pending formal identification that we believe the victim to be a local 35 year old woman named Zara Aleena.
‘At 02:44 am on Sunday, 26 June, Met officers were called by London Ambulance Service to a seriously injured woman found by members of the public in Cranbrook Road, Ilford.
‘The woman, who we believe to be Zara, had suffered serious head injuries and despite the best efforts of paramedics and doctors in hospital, she died later on Sunday morning.
‘Zara, who lived locally, was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was assaulted
‘It is now believed that she was the victim of an attack by a stranger.
‘Her family are aware of this and as the investigation progresses they will continue to be updated and supported.
‘A special post mortem has been completed. Zara suffered multiple serious injuries that contributed to her death.
‘There is no evidence at this time that weapons were used during the attack.’
He added: ‘We are keeping Zara’s family up to date with our progress and my heartfelt condolences are with them at this terrible time.
‘They are being supported by specialist officers – but I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling.
‘Resources from across the Met are being drawn upon to help us identify whoever is responsible and the murder investigation is developing quickly.
‘Our priority is to catch the perpetrator as soon as possible and for that reason there are some aspects of the investigation I won’t be commenting on in detail.
‘Since the attack, officers have worked every hour to determine more about the circumstances – we are determined to catch the person responsible.’
He said that a full forensic examination of the scene and the surrounding area is taking place – while officers are undertaking house to house enquiries.
The Met have closed the road and put a cordon in place at the scene while urging women to be ‘alert’ but not ‘alarmed’ by the attack.
Labour MP for Ilford Sam Tarry said: ‘Cranbrook Road is part of my constituency.
‘It looks like, on the face of it, a random attack. This is something out of the ordinary.
‘And for that reason, the Met and the local authority are moving heaven and earth to ensure people’s safety and put the perpetrator behind bars.
‘My message to my constituents is that we will do everything to remember this woman who lost her life in the most horrendous way.
‘We want our community to be free of fear and go about their daily business.
‘People do need to be reassured, there will be a flood of police on the streets.
‘I don’t think people should be bowed or cowed into fear but of course people are going to be scared.
‘I would say to people, check your cameras, your dashcams, any small clue could help.’
Labour frontbench MP Wes Streeting, who said she was one of his Ilford North constituents, also paid tribute to the 35-year-old.
Mr Streeting said: ‘Police have named the victim of the murder on Sunday morning as my 35 year old constituent Zara Aleena.
‘I am heartbroken for her family and send those who loved and knew her my deepest condolences.’
One neighbour said today: ‘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 it at 2am it was still busy with lots of cars.’
She said the police had called at her house and told her father the woman was Asian and that they were looking for a white male.
Forensic officers could be seen dragging a black tarpaulin towards a house where the attack took place.
Numerous side streets are also cordoned off and police have extended the area taped off to made it even wider.
Another neighbour said: ‘It’s terrifying to think a killer is on the loose and women are being warned to be careful. I won’t go out after dark now, it’s just too scary. It’s just horrific to think this happened so close to home.
He said: ‘I got up and saw flashing lights at three in the morning and heard the helicopter and a police dog. When we found out what happed, we were just in shock.
‘There is a house with ornamental posts outside, it was there. When you live on a main road like this you don’t know anybody.’
Meanwhile, a local restaurant owner claimed that his sisters who live in Afghanistan are ‘safer’ than those who live in certain parts of London.
Tajik Ahmed, who has lived in Gants Hill for over 20 years, says the area is ‘getting worse and worse.’
He added: ‘When I first moved here there was still crime, then it got better but over the past few years it seems to have gone backwards. 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 ‘worries’ for other women in the area following the fatal attack – but that he believes the area to generally be safe.
Subhash said: ‘I have lived in the area for 15 years and this is the first time that this kind of serious incident has happened in this area.
‘This happened last night. I was fast asleep, but then I heard the helicopter going round around 3am. I thought something must have happened.’
Pensioner 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 to find something like that happen on a road like this – it’s awful.
‘We don’t know who she was but she must have been walking to the station early in the morning. But the trains weren’t running so maybe she was a local too.
‘It does make you feel more vulnerable. I hope they catch the killer.’
Another resident Mubasher Khan, 45, said: ‘I heard shouting on Sunday morning and thought it was someone who was drunk.
‘Then I saw flashing lights at around 3.10am and someone from the police someone on my door and asked to see my CCTV.
‘But the camera only covered the drive so it wasn’t much help. This morning I heard about it and the girl who died.’
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Met’s Specialist Crime North Command, is leading the investigation and said: ‘It is vital that my officers speak with every possible witness and everyone with information that may assist the investigation.
‘We are appealing for anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area of Ilford between 2am and 3am on Sunday morning to get in touch, including anyone who drove through the area and may have dashcam footage.
‘We also want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the wider Ilford area overnight.’