Police arrest man on suspicion of murdering London teacher Sabina Nessa

The death of beloved British teacher Sabina Nessa has sparked an outpouring of grief – and frustration at the violence on London’s streets.

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of the shocking park murder of London schoolteacher Sabina Nessa.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested at an address in Lewisham, south London, on suspicion of murding British schoolteacher Sabina Nessa.

Police believe the "brilliant" teacher, who had worked helping non-English speakers develop their language skills, was set upon in September 2021 after setting off from her home to meet a friend in a pub.

The 28-year-old was discovered hidden under a pile of leaves by a dog walker in Cator Park in Kidbrooke, southeast London.

Police believe Sabina was attacked at 8.30pm on Friday, September 17, 2021, when the park was likely full of joggers and dog walkers.

The journey should have taken her five minutes, but Sabina never arrived at the pub and is thought to have been murdered as she walked through the park.

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of the shocking park murder of London schoolteacher Sabina Nessa.

“We would ask anyone – especially those in Kidbrooke and the wider area of Lewisham and Greenwich – to take a careful look at these images to check whether you know who this man is or have seen him over recent days,” Detective Chief Inspector Neil John of the Metropolitan Police said.

“Any information as to his identity or whereabouts could be vital for our investigation so we are asking you to share this image far and wide to ensure as many people as possible see it.”

“She’s been attacked on the way home and she was five minutes away from here walking home her usual route that she‘s been taking for the last few weeks where she’s been working from school to home, going back and forth,” her cousin Zubel Ahmed told ITV News.

“She was due to go and see her family at the weekend and even that … she couldn‘t even do that one last time unfortunately.”

Zubel paid tribute to his cousin and described her as the “sweetest person”.

He said the devastated family could not understand how “someone can do this”.

Zubel added: “We went and saw her parents, they are inconsolable. It’s the worst way for someone to go.

“The shock has not sunk in. She was a beautiful, kind, caring soul.

“I express my deepest sympathies for her sisters. Mum and dad are absolutely devastated. Nothing is making sense to us, why was she taken from us we just don‘t know.”

Sabina Nessa was allegedly murdered in a park just minutes away from her home in South East London.

Meanwhile Sabina’s friend, with whom she lived, has revealed that she no longer feels safe in the area.

The heartbroken flatmate, who didn’t want to be named, told The Guardian: “I never thought something like this could happen to her.”

“I had been texting her and it’s not like her to not reply to my messages,” she said.

“I don’t feel safe living here now.”

Sabina Nessa Murder: Can you help identify this man?

📸 Image shows a man walking in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke on the evening Sabina was attacked - Friday 17 September.

❗️ Any information could be vital - please share this post.

📞 0208 721 4266

📲 https://t.co/vAehNxCTllpic.twitter.com/u1MuCDcLM4

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 23, 2021

Candlelit vigil for ‘brilliant’ teacher

Hundreds attended a candlelit vigil for the “brilliant” teacher in London this week.

A large photograph of her smiling proudly in her graduation gown stood in the square as her heartbroken family sat nearby and wept as darkness fell.

Sabina’s sister, Jebina, broke down in tears as she paid an emotional tribute.

“We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early,” she said.

“Sabina loved her family. It feels like we’re stuck in a bad dream and cannot get out of it. Our world is shattered. No family should go through what our family is going through. She didn‘t reach her 29th birthday next month.”

Sabina’s family received condolences from the Duchess of Cambridge this morning, tweeting her sympathy from the official Royal account.

I am saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets. My thoughts are with Sabina’s family and friends, and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. C

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) September 24, 2021

‘What do we blame?’

In addition to the outpouring of grief, Sabina’s death has reminded Brits of the dangers women face.

In a viral Twitter post shared more than 19,000 times, freelance journalist Helena Wadia too aim at those who blame the victims.

“Sabina Nessa was in a public place, she was surrounded by people and it wasn’t late at night. So now what? Now what to we blame?” Wadia asked.

“We're still pushing the message that if women follow certain ‘rules’ they won’t be attacked or killed. This message is proven wrong time and time again, because women aren’t even safe in their own homes.”

She said it wasn’t a “women’s safety issue” but a “male violence issue”.

Timeline

Friday, September 17 – Sabina leaves her home on Astell Road tomeet a friend. Sabina is not reported missing by anyone after failing to show up to the bar.

Saturday, September 18 – Her body is discovered 200 yards from her home. A man in his 40s is arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation.

Monday, September 20 – A post-mortem examination carried out at Greenwich Mortuary finds the cause of Sabina’s death as inconclusive.

Thursday, September 23 – Officers express a concern that another attack by her killer “could” take place.

Friday, September 24 – Cops arrest a 38-year-old man on suspicion of the young woman‘s murder. They reveal they are hunting for a second man and a silver car.

— with The Sun

Originally published as Police arrest man on suspicion of murdering London teacher Sabina Nessa