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Ilford murder: Woman dies in hospital after attack Ilford: Woman killed in stranger attack named as Zara Aleena, 36
(about 3 hours later)
A murder investigation has been launched The area around Cranbrook Road has been cordoned off
A woman has died after suffering severe head injuries in what police described as a "horrific assault" in east London. A 36-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.
Police said it happened in the early hours of Sunday as the 36-year-old was walking along Cranbrook Road, towards Gants Hill station in Ilford. Ms Aleena, who was local, was the victim of an "horrific assault", police said, in the early hours of Sunday as she was walking on Cranbrook Road, towards Gants Hill station in Ilford.
Officers were called to the scene by paramedics at 02:45 BST and the woman, who has not been formally identified, later died in hospital. The Met Police said it believed she was a "victim of an attack by a stranger". Her family has been informed.
Of London's 45 homicide victims this year, 15 have been women. A 29-year-old man has been arrested.
Officers said he was detained at an address in Ilford shortly after 16:00 BST and was being held on suspicion of murder.
Shopkeeper Kuldip Singh says he worries for the safety of women and the elderly in particularShopkeeper Kuldip Singh says he worries for the safety of women and the elderly in particular
Ch Supt Stuart Bell said the investigation was now being led by homicide detectives and the woman's family had been informed. Paramedics were at the scene at 02:45 BST on Sunday and took Ms Aleena to hospital, where she later died.
He said: "I understand that for women, particularly locally, this is an incredibly distressing incident, and I urge you to be alert but not alarmed." In a statement, Chief Supt Stuart Bell said: "Zara, who lived locally, was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was assaulted.
He said officers were working "at pace" to establish what happened, but no arrests had yet been made. "It is now believed that she was the victim of an attack by a stranger.
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.
Earlier, Chief Supt Bell said the investigation was being led by homicide detectives.
A police presence will remain in the area, the Met saysA police presence will remain in the area, the Met says
"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.
'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 was concerned at the level of violence in the area, highlighting how this homicide was the third 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."
The area around Cranbrook Road has been cordoned off
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.
A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder
Of London's 45 homicide victims this year, 15 have been women.
This time last year there had been 56 London homicide victims, 12 of whom were female, according to Met Police, British Transport Police and City of London Police statistics.This time last year there had been 56 London homicide victims, 12 of whom were female, according to Met Police, British Transport Police and City of London Police statistics.
Det Ch Insp Mark Rogers, who is leading the investigation, said his team were keen to hear from anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area between 02:00 and 03:00, particularly those with dashcam footage.Det Ch Insp Mark Rogers, who is leading the investigation, said his team 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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