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Ilford: Woman killed in stranger attack named as Zara Aleena, 35 Zara Aleena: Man arrested over "stranger attack" in Ilford
(32 minutes later)
Zara Aleena is believed to have been the victim of a stranger attack while walking in east LondonZara Aleena is believed to have been the victim of a stranger attack while walking in east London
A 35-year-old woman who died from severe head injuries after what police believe was a stranger attack in east London has been named as Zara Aleena. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a suspected stranger attack on a woman in east London.
Ms Aleena, who was local, was the victim of an "horrific assault", police said, as she was walking on Cranbrook Road, towards Gants Hill station in Ilford, in the early hours of Sunday. Zara Aleena, 35, was assaulted as she walked along Cranbrook Road, towards Gants Hill station in Ilford, in the early hours of Sunday.
The Met Police said it believed she was a "victim of an attack by a stranger". Her family has been informed. The Met Police believe she was the victim of an "opportunist stranger attack". She died later in hospital.
A 29-year-old man has been arrested. The 29-year-old man was detained at an address in Ilford shortly after 16:00 BST.
Officers said he was detained at an address in Ilford shortly after 16:00 BST and was being held on suspicion of murder. Paramedics were at the scene of the assault at 02:45 BST on Sunday after Ms Aleena was found by members of the public.
Paramedics were at the scene at 02:45 BST on Sunday and took Ms Aleena to hospital, where she later died. In a statement, Ch Supt Stuart Bell said: "It is now believed that she was the victim of an opportunist stranger attack. Her family are aware of this and they will continue to be updated."
He added there was no evidence of any weapons being used in the beating, which left Ms Aleena with fatal head injuries.
A post-mortem examination revealed she had "multiple serious injuries".
The area around Cranbrook Road has been cordoned offThe area around Cranbrook Road has been cordoned off
In a statement, Ch Supt Stuart Bell said: "Zara, who lived locally, was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was assaulted. Ch Supt Bell said a full forensic examination of the scene and surrounding area had taken place, as had house-to-house inquiries.
"It is now believed that she was the victim of an attack by a stranger. He added that detectives were focused on identifying all available CCTV and he urged anyone who may have been in the area, including those driving through, to contact the Met.
No evidence of weapon
"Her family are aware of this and as the investigation progresses they will continue to be updated and supported."
He added there was no evidence of any weapons being used in the attack, which left Ms Aleena with fatal head injuries.
A post-mortem examination revealed Ms Aleena had "suffered multiple serious injuries".
Earlier, Ch Supt Bell said the investigation was being led by homicide detectives.
A police presence will remain in the area, the Met said
"I understand that for women, particularly locally, this is an incredibly distressing incident, and I urge you to be alert but not alarmed."
He said officers were working "at pace" to establish what had happened.He said officers were working "at pace" to establish what had happened.
Ms Aleena's friends said she was a "lifeline" for her mother and grandmotherMs Aleena's friends said she was a "lifeline" for her mother and grandmother
Friends of Ms Aleena said she was "so soft and gentle, she never had a bad word to say about anyone".Friends of Ms Aleena said she was "so soft and gentle, she never had a bad word to say about anyone".
Karina - who did not provide her surname - and Sherit Nair described her as someone who cared and looked after all her friends and that she was a "lifeline for her mother and grandmother" as she did all of their shopping, arranged their medication and gardening. Karina - who did not provide her surname - and Sherit Nair described her as someone who cared and looked after all her friends and was a "lifeline for her mother and grandmother" as she did all of their shopping and arranged their medication.
The friends, who had known Ms Aleena for many years, said she graduated in October last year after many years of study and had only been working at the Royal Courts of Justice for three or four weeks. The friends, who had known Ms Aleena for many years, said she graduated in October after many years of study and had only been working at the Royal Courts of Justice for a few weeks.
They said they believed she was coming home from a night out with friends when she was attacked, adding that she was probably walking home on the night she was attacked as she loved walking and walked everywhere, preferring not to drive. They said they believed she was heading home from a night out with friends when she was attacked, adding that she loved walking and walked everywhere, preferring not to drive.
'Don't feel safe'
Shopkeeper Kuldip Singh said he was concerned at the level of violence in the area, highlighting how this homicide was the third in five years.
Shopkeeper Kuldip Singh said he worried for the safety of women and the elderly in particularShopkeeper Kuldip Singh said he worried for the safety of women and the elderly in particular
Local shopkeeper Kuldip Singh said he was concerned by the level of violence in the area, highlighting how Ms Aleena's death was the third homicide in five years.
"This one was quite brutal," he said. "It was a young lady but people don't really feel safe in this location as much as they used to."This one was quite brutal," he said. "It was a young lady but people don't really feel safe in this location as much as they used to.
"If I was an elderly person or a female, especially in the winter months, walking through this road you could be at risk.""If I was an elderly person or a female, especially in the winter months, walking through this road you could be at risk."
Subhash, 60, who lives just off Cranbrook Road, said he was woken up by a helicopter at about 03:00 and said he "worries" for other local women because this is "happening on my doorstep".Subhash, 60, who lives just off Cranbrook Road, said he was woken up by a helicopter at about 03:00 and said he "worries" for other local women because this is "happening on my doorstep".
"It's not just my daughter, it's other daughters, other girls, other women in the area," he said."It's not just my daughter, it's other daughters, other girls, other women in the area," he said.
"It's quite a serious matter, how safe are you in your own area.""It's quite a serious matter, how safe are you in your own area."
A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murderA 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder
A significant police presence is expected to remain in the area in the coming days.A significant police presence is expected to remain in the area in the coming days.
Of London's 46 homicide victims so far this year, 16 (35%) have been women, according to data collected from the Met Police, British Transport Police and City of London Police. Ch Supt Bell said he understood Ms Aleena's death was an "incredibly distressing incident" for women.
"Women should not have to change their behaviour and should be able to go about their business feeling safe any time of day or night and it is our job to ensure that happens.
"Officers cannot be in all places at all times. We urge the community, especially women, to report any suspicious or unwanted behaviour or to seek help if you feel threatened."
A police presence will remain in the area for some days, the Met said
Of London's 46 homicide victims in 2022, 16 (35%) have been women, according to data collected by the Met Police, British Transport Police and City of London Police.
By the same time last year, there had been 58 London homicide victims, 12 (21%) of whom were female, according to the data.By the same time last year, there had been 58 London homicide victims, 12 (21%) of whom were female, according to the data.
Detectives said they were keen to hear from anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area between 02:00 and 03:00, particularly those with dashcam footage.
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