P
Olice has named a young woman murdered on a street in east London, as they say they believe she was attacked by a stranger.
Scotland Yard said 35-year-old Zara Aleena suffered serious head injuries in “a horrific assault” as she walked towards Gloves Hill Station, Ilford, early Sunday.
Officers went to the scene by paramedics who found her at 2:44 p.m.
You are Aleena
/
Mrs. Aleena, who was first found by the public on Cranbrook Road, later died at the hospital.
READ MORE
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, the top police officer in the area, said Monday: “Zara, who lived locally, was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was assaulted.
“He is now believed to have been the victim of an attack by a stranger.
“His family is aware of this and as the research progresses it will continue to be updated and supported.
“A special autopsy has been completed. Zara suffered multiple serious injuries that contributed to his death.
“At this time there is no evidence that weapons were used during the attack.”
“We are keeping Zara’s family up to date on our progress and my deepest condolences are with them at this terrible time,” he added.
“They’re being supported by specialized officers, but I can’t imagine the pain they have to feel.”
Police said Monday afternoon a 29-year-old man had been arrested at an Ilford address on suspicion of murder and was in custody.
Mrs. Aleena has not yet been formally identified.
Residents spoke of their “purely horror” as forensic teams searched for clues on Cranbrook Road.
Detectives conducted door-to-door investigations and collected CCTV with the crime scene behind a police cordon.
Aleena is the 16th woman killed in an act of violence in London by 2022 – a third of the 50 homicides being investigated by Met, British Transport and City of London forces.
A police cordon on Cranbrook Road, Ilford, where a murder is being investigated after the death of a 36-year-old woman (PA)
/ PA wire
The ratio is higher than at the same time last year, when 13 out of 60 victims were women.
A man, whose house is near the scene, said, “My neighbor heard a woman call. It was very late. The next thing we knew was a helicopter and a police dog barking. When we found out what happened was pure horror. “
Another man said the incident happened directly outside his home.
He said, “My wife heard a man screaming. Then, a little later, there were police and flashing lights everywhere. We thought he was a drunk. Now I feel guilty for being able to help. If only he had come out. “We had no idea that something horrible had happened outside our house.”
A resident living near the crime scene said he had reported to police in recent weeks an incident of a “wild-eyed” man harassing a woman nearby.
He told Standard: “He was sitting having a drink and this guy started harassing a woman he didn’t know. The boy had wild eyes and was very scared. I reported him to the police. It could be anything and everything, but it can be important. This guy didn’t look good. “
A mother of four added, “I’m very worried. I told my daughters to be so careful. The attack took place on a busy road. The killer was taking a big risk. It’s horrible.”
Another resident said, “To think that a killer is loose and that women who are cared for are warned is terrifying for us. Now I will not go out after dark.”
A neighbor continued: “I live in front and I saw flashing lights, then a woman was being treated by paramedics. They put her on a stretcher and took her to the hospital. We are all amazed at what has happened at our door. “
One local said, “We are in total disbelief.”
Superintendent in Chief Bell, who heads the basic command of the eastern area of the Met, said earlier: “The woman had been subjected to a horrific assault and sadly died as a result of her injuries.
“Teams of dedicated officers are working at a pace to establish what happened and identify the person responsible. This includes a full forensic examination of the scene and surroundings, door-to-door consultations and an approach to identifying all available CCTV. .
“Local people will see a significant police presence in the area today and in the coming days.
“I understand that for women, especially locally, this is an incredibly distressing incident and I ask you to be alert but not alarmed.”
He added: “It is crucial that anyone with information shows up at the police or calls Crimestoppers anonymously to help catch whoever is responsible for this truly shocking act of violence.
“Specifically, we call on anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area of Ilford between 2am and 3am on a Sunday morning to get in touch, including anyone who has driven through the area. and may have images from the dashboard camera.
“We also want to hear from anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the wider Ilford area overnight.
He added: “My genuine gratitude goes out to everyone in the community for their patience and resilience. Our neighborhood officers will be available over the next few days to speak with the community and the people affected locally.
“All the resources are dedicated to locating the person responsible and with each passing hour, the investigation is picking up pace.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a top priority for the Met. Every day, our officers work with partners from across the capital to improve security in our public spaces.
“Women should not change their behavior and should be able to do their business, feeling safe, at any time of the day or night. Our job is to make sure this happens, but agents can’t be everywhere at all times.
“I urge our community, especially women, to report any suspicious or unwanted behavior and to seek help if you feel threatened.
“These horrific crimes have no place in our society. We are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice, while improving security for everyone in London.
“Everyone should be able to live free from the fear of violence.”
A father who lives near the scene said he is “concerned” about other local women, although this was the first serious incident he remembered that happened in the area in 15 years.
Subhash, 60, who lives along Cranbrook Road, said, “I’m a little worried that something like this is happening at my door.”
“It’s not just my daughter, it’s other daughters, other girls, other women in the area.
“It’s a pretty serious matter, how sure are you in your area?”
Meanwhile, police have named a 31-year-old man found dead stabbed in west London.
Karamjeet Singh Reel, of Hounslow, was found with stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene at Staines Road.
Anyone with information should call the main incident room on 0208 345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.