She left this world far too early Sabina Nessas sister breaks down in tears at vigil

Sabina Nessa’s sister tonight broke down in tears, saying ‘she left this world far too early’ as she paid tribute to her sister at a vigil just yards from where she was killed. 

It comes as Kate Middleton said she was ‘saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets’ as dozens of campaigners against violence turned out to remember Sabina Nessa who was killed while walking just yards from her home. 

Campaigners against violence to women stood together tonight to remember the 28-year-old Primary school teacher who was cruelly killed just yards from her south London home.

Supporters arrived in foot, by bicycle and in the train to attend the memorial at the heart at the south London housing estate. By the time vigil began several hundred people had packed into the square.Many had brought their young children. Others had brought their dogs.

Dozens of supporters in Kidbrooke Village lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina. Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher.

Together the crowd said her name, Sabina Nessa, as they vowed she would not be forgotten and her murder would not go unchallenged. The 28-year-old attacked and killed while walking at about 8.30pm last Friday evening.     

Sabina Nessa’s sister tonight broke down in tears, saying ‘she left this world far too early’ as she paid tribute to her sister at a vigil just yards from where she was killed

Sister Jebina Nessa broke down in tears as she paid tribute to her sister Sabina, a 28-year-old primary school teacher who was murdered yards from her south east London home

Campaigners against violence to women stood together tonight to remember Sabina Nessa who was cruelly killed just yards from her south London home

Campaigners against violence to women stood together tonight to remember Sabina Nessa who was cruelly killed just yards from her south London home

Dozens of supporters flocked to Kidbrooke Village to honour the of the 28-year-old Primary school teacher who was murder a week ago today

People look at floral tributes for murdered 28-year-old teacher Sabina Nessa in Kidbrooke in south-east London ahead of a vigil tonight

Kate Middleton said she was ‘saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets’ as dozens of campaigners against violence turned out to remember Sabina Nessa who was killed while walking just yards from her home

Kidbrooke Village residents Roxana Chelaru and husband Ionut told how they no longer feel safe in their home.

Roxana told MailOnline: ‘We live two minutes from where this poor young woman was murdered. We walk our dog in the park where she was killed. Sometimes I walk him there at night when it is dark.

‘We thought this was a nice place to live with other families. But now I don’t feel safe.

‘But tonight we want to show solidarity with this poor woman. This should not happen.’

Husband Ionut added: ‘It’s very sad. Now I am worried about my wife. Often she must walk back from the station alone. After what has happened we don’t want to live here anymore.’

Michael Stacey and wife Seychelle brought their six year old daughter Olivia to the vigil because Sabina Nessa was her teacher.

Mr Stacey, 42, a printer told MailOnline: ‘I don’t know what to say. It’s a terrible thing to happen. She was a lovely woman and a great teacher. Olivia loved her. So we’re here to pay our respects. It’s the least we can do.’ 

Dozens of supporters flocked to Kidbrooke Village to honour the of the 28-year-old Primary school teacher who was murder a week ago today

Well-wishers lay floral tributes ahead of a vigil for 28 year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, whose body was found in south east London last week

Campaigners and well-wishers lit candles tonight at a vigil for murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa as a specialist search team scoured flower pots and drains around the square for clues to the murder

Members of the public attend a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, and in solidarity against violence against women, at Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south London

A forensic officer combs the area around Pegler Square as part of a murder probe into the death of 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa

Meanwhile a specialist search team scoured flower pots and drains around the square for clues to the murder in Kidbrooke, south east London

Jamie Klingler, co-founder of the Reclaim The Streets pressure group, said Londoners had to come together to defend women against violence.

She told MailOnline: ‘This has been a terrible tragedy and everyone has been affected by this latest act of violence.

‘But the community has come together to stand up against violence to women.’

The vigil took place just yards from where a man wanted by police has been captured on CCTV around the time of the killing.

The film shows a white man in his 40’s, dressed in a black hooded sweat-shirt, grey jogging bottoms and black trainers, leaving the scene.

He appears to hide his face from the CCTV cameras which are mounted on the wall of an apartment block in the upmarket development’s main square.

Met Police have now identified this man as their prime suspect in the murder of Miss Nessa. The man was held at an address in Lewisham, southeast London, yesterday afternoon and was later released pending further investigation.

Meanwhile a specialist search team scoured flower pots and drains around the square for clues to the murder. Other uniform officers kept a low profile during the vigil.

Scotland Yard wanted to avoid a repeat of the disastrous scene earlier this year during a vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard.

Met chiefs were accused of being heavy-handed with female demonstrators at the height of Covid-19 restrictions, when large public gatherings were banned.

Police have since released a separate appeal for another man and a vehicle that was seen on CCTV in the area they hope to identify which could provide a breakthrough in the case

The man, pictured with balding, dark hair in grey tracksuit bottoms, a dark-coloured hoodie and black shoes, was seen on CCTV in Peglar Square on the evening of Sabina’s attack 

Experts have sealed off large parts of the park as their murder investigation continues. Pictured above: forensics tent in Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south east London, where the teacher was found dead

The Depot bar in Pegler Square, where Ms Nessa was due to go on a first date last Friday, according to her friend 

Police thanked members of the public for sharing their appeal as they continue to ramp up efforts to identify a second man after police released CCTV footage of a bearded and balding man looking over his shoulder as healks down Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south-east London.

The Met’s Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: ‘We want to thank those who have shared our image appeal over the last 24 hours â€" it has gained a huge amount of coverage and we are extremely grateful for the public’s help.

‘We are now a week on from Sabina’s murder and while we have made good progress with our investigation we must keep this appeal for information going and encourage anyone who has any information to come forward.’ 

Police are urging anyone who might be able to identify the man and his vehicle to make contact with them immediately on 0208 721 4266 or by calling Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111.

It comes as Ms Nessa’s family released a new statement reiterating their shock over her horrifying murder as further details of the case were reported overnight.

Footage showed Sabina being struck on the head by an assailant wielding a weapon just moments after she left her flat, before she was slung over his shoulder and dumped in a local park, it is claimed.

Sabina’s sister Jebina Yasmin Islam said: ‘We as a family are shocked of the murder of our sister, daughter and aunty to my girls.

‘There are no words to describe how we are feeling as a family at the moment. We did not expect that something like this would ever happen to us.

‘I urge everyone to walk on busy streets when walking home from work, school or a friend’s homes. Please keep safe.

‘I ask you to pray for our sister and make dua (supplication) for her. May Allah grant her paradise.’ 

Assistant Commissioner Rolfe said the Metropolitan Police is not asking women to change their behaviour when going out at night in light of the murder of Sabina Nessa.

Meanwhile, Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry has said: ‘The streets are safe for women, I’d like to reassure the public around that.’ 

In a separate development, reports suggested the attack itself had been caught on CCTV.

Sabina disappeared on Friday evening as she left home on a five minute walk to meet a man for a first date at a local pub. Her body was found in Cator Park, 200 yards from her home, on Saturday afternoon. 

The attack CCTV, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, shows an assailant apparently striking Sabina on the head with an object moments after she left her house. He then carries her over his shoulder in the direction of Cator Park, a police source told the newspaper.   

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘Our team have been working tirelessly to find the person responsible for Sabina’s murder and this has included an extensive trawl of CCTV, work which remains ongoing.

‘We would ask anyone â€" especially those in Kidbrooke and the wider area of Lewisham and Greenwich â€" to take a careful look at these images to check whether you know who this man is or have seen him over recent days.

‘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.’  

Furious campaigners and a handful of MPs demanded that public spaces be made safer for women in the wake of a string of high-profile murders this year.

Reclaim These Streets, an organisation campaigning for the safety of women and girls which has organised a vigil for today, said: ‘This is an epidemic of violence against women. Enough with reports, what is the actual plan to keep us safe and alive?’

No one reported her missing after she failed to make the rendez-vous, said police, but her housemate has now spoken out on the horrifying ordeal and shared her unease.

She 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.

‘I don’t feel safe living here now.’

Earlier, detectives had speculated whether the attack had been carried out by a stranger and were ‘keeping an open mind’ on the killer’s motive.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry insisted the area remains ‘safe for women’ despite mounting pressure from women’s safety campaigners who are urging officers to do more to protect them on Britain’s streets.

He said: ‘The streets are safe for women, I’d like to reassure the public around that, I’d like to make sure that people are free to walk around free from fear and my officers will make sure that that can take place.’

The primary school teacher, originally from Bedfordshire, is understood to have been just minutes from her home when she was attacked near the OneSpace Community Centre in Cator Park at around 8.30pm on Friday, September 17.

Her body lay undiscovered for several hours because it was ‘off the main park walkway’, according to police.

A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out to establish a cause of death.

‘I don’t feel safe’: Sabina Nessa’s housemate tells of her shock and fear as Met detectives warn teacher’s killer ‘could strike again’ and fury grows over women’s safety 

By Jacob Thorburn, Rory Tingle, Nick Fagge and Katie Weston for MailOnline 

The housemate of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa has said she ‘doesn’t feel safe’ living in the area after investigating detectives earlier warned the killer ‘could strike again’.

The 28-year-old left her home on Astell Road and was on her way to a first date in The Depot Bar in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village, south east London on Friday night but never made it.

Police understand she was attacked in a park at around 8.30pm, with her body being discovered by a member of the public almost 24 hours later near the OneSpace community centre hidden under a pile of leaves.

No one reported her missing after she failed to make the rendez-vous, said police, but her housemate has now spoken out on the horrifying ordeal and shared her unease.

She 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.

‘I don’t feel safe living here now.’   

Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry by the floral tributes at Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south London, near to the scene where the body of Ms Nessa was found

DCI Lawry (pictured centre) by the floral tributes at Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south London, near to the scene where the body of Ms Nessa was found

 Ms Nessa’s sister took to social media to commemorate her, writing: ‘My beautiful, talented & caring sister. My inspiration to always put myself first & never let anybody put me down

Detectives are investigating whether she was killed by a stranger, leaving locals fearful of returning to the usually busy park often packed with dog walkers and joggers.  

Parallels are being drawn to the horrific murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard in March, amid fresh fury that women could not walk through Britain’s streets alone without fearing for their lives. 

And in June 6 last year, sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were stabbed to death in a Wembley park in a random attack by 19-year-old Danyal Hussein, who believed he was acting on the orders of a demon. 

Other women who live in the Kidbrooke area have also revealed they feel anxious when out alone â€" prompting one resident to offer to walk anyone home who does not feel safe in the community.

Women face an ‘epidemic’ of violence, campaigners warn as Jess Phillips says it is ‘a scandal that women don’t feel safe on the streets’ 

By Claire Ellicot, Political Correspondent for the Daily Mail 

Women are dealing with an ‘epidemic’ of violence, politicians and campaigners warned yesterday as they lamented the lack of progress since the death of Sarah Everard.

The killing of Sabina Nessa, 28, in south London comes six months after Miss Everard’s murder and a year after sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were stabbed to death in the capital.

Sarah Everard: Murdered in March this year 

Jess Phillips, Labour’s spokesman for domestic violence and safeguarding, said that it was ‘not safe’ to be a woman.

She said 78 women had been killed in the UK since the death of 33-year-old Miss Everard in March and questioned the Government response.

‘It is a scandal that women don’t feel safe on the streets,’ she said. 

‘It’s not safe to be a woman â€" whether that’s in the workplace, school, university or home. There are too many examples every year.’

Referring to Miss Everard, who was kidnapped, raped and killed by Met policeman Wayne Couzens while walking home, the MP added: ‘We can’t keep having this. We can’t keep having someone being murdered and then a pilot here and a review there.

‘The British public now demand proper women’s safety laws, legislation, resources and strategy to stop this. We can’t just keep being sorry.’

She also demanded that the Government reclassify violence against women and girls as a ‘serious crime’ in line with terrorism and serious youth violence.

Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were stabbed to death in Wembley last year 

Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, said: ‘Sabina Nessa’s murder in a park at 8.30pm is devastating. 

‘Her murder is not a one-off but part of an epidemic of gendered violence. We demand justice for Sabina and safety for all women, on the streets and in our homes.’  

Campaigner Anna Birley, who founded the Reclaim These Streets movement, said yesterday: ‘We often get told when the worst happens that the murder of a woman by a stranger in a public place is very rare and we are very safe.

‘But the thing is, our lived experience of street harassment, cat-calling, a man exposing himself to us, tell us we’re not safe, and murder is rarely the first crime someone commits.’

She said the Government must urgently fix the ‘deep-rooted culture of misogyny in British culture’ by reforming the criminal justice system.

The campaigner called for a higher conviction rate for rapists, anti-misogyny training for police, and lessons in schools to ‘tackle toxic masculinity’.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan warned that women face an ‘epidemic’ of violence. ‘I think this deserves the same priority as counter terrorism,’ he said.

He added that schools should teach boys to respect girls, and misogyny should be made a hate crime. 

Advertisement

Last night, Ms Nessa’s sister took to social media to commemorate her, writing: ‘My beautiful, talented & caring sister. My inspiration to always put myself first & never let anybody put me down.

‘Never in my life did I or my sisters or my mum or dad think this could happen to us. May Allah grant her Jannah. Ameen #SabinaNessa’.

She added in a separate tweet: ‘3 sisters down to 2. Pls make dua for her. No mother or father should have to go through this, may Allah grant my parents ease.’ 

Ms Nessa’s cousin, Zubel Ahmed, described her as the ‘most caring person, kindest, sweetest girl you could meet.’

He told the BBC: ‘She’s just got a beautiful soul, she’s a caring person, she’s left behind two cats. When we were at her house the other day the cats were looking for her. 

‘As strange as that sounds it’s just her nature to care for things, to care for people, for animals, and she’s just going to be truly missed.’ 

Detective Inspector Joe Garrity added: ‘Sabina’s journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination.

‘We know the community are rightly shocked by this murder â€" as are we â€" and we are using every resource available to us to find the individual responsible.’ 

Det Insp Garrity added the investigation was making good progress and appealed for anyone with information to get in touch: ‘We believe there are still others out there who may have information that could help.’ 

The friend described Sabina as a ‘lovely, bubbly person’ with ‘loads of personality’.

Sabina had moved into the newly built Kidbroke Village last summer.

The friend said: ‘It’s a lovely place to live. The flat has a view of the duck pond and the park. 

‘So you can see where Sabina died from the balcony. It’s horrible.’  

Sabina’s date failed to notify police that she failed to make the rendez-vous, police have confirmed.

DCS Lawry said: ‘Sabine left her home address just before 8.30pm on Friday night.

‘We understand that Sabina was planning on meeting a friend at The Depot pub.

‘Her journey would have seen her walk through Cator Park. We believe as she walked through the park she was approached by an individual and fatally attacked.

‘She was not reported missing and Sabina’s body was sadly found by a member of the public at 5pm the following day.’

Downing Street said the Prime Minister’s thoughts were with the family and friends of Ms Nessa. 

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said: ‘The Prime Minister’s focus is on making sure that we make our streets safe for absolutely everybody, that’s why we’re investing the money we are in recruiting more police officers and which is why we, as I say, introduced the strategy when it comes to violence against women and girls earlier this year.’

He added that Metropolitan Police officers will be attending a planned vigil for Ms Nessa on Friday.

A man in his forties was arrested on suspicion of murder a few hours after her body was found by a dog walker. But yesterday he was released under investigation pending further inquiries.

On Thursday, a 38-year-old man from Lewisham was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He remains in custody at present.

Nessa’s cousin Zubel Ahmed told ITV News the family remain ‘inconsolable’ and revealed she was just ‘five minutes’ from her own home.

He said: ‘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. She was the sweetest person, sweetest girl, I don’t understand how someone can do this it’s a big loss to our family.’ 

The case has parallels to the killing of Sarah Everard, who was  snatched off the street as she walked home from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, on March 3 by Met Police firearms officer Wayne Couzens.

Her body was found a week later in woodland near Ashford, Kent, just yards from land owned by Couzens, 48. She had been raped and strangled.

Six months later, and women are continuing to speak out about their lack of safety on British streets â€" with a recent poll finding as many as 48 per cent of women do not feel safe walking alone. 

Ms Nessa’s death has sparked a wave of fury over women killed in public spaces in London this year â€" with campaigners urging action on the ‘epidemic of violence’ facing women.

Campaign group Our Streets Now said: ‘Please, stop telling us we’re overreacting. Sabina Ness, Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman. And these are just the names that we remember.

‘Male violence is killing us. It’s restricting our right to be free and equal citizens. We need change, now.’ 

There was an outpouring of grief and anger today after yet another apparent murder of a woman walking alone at the hands of a stranger just months after Sarah Everard’s horrific death

The Year 1 teacher had worked for just over a year at Rushey Green Primary School, three miles away in Catford. 

Before landing her first teaching job, she studied sociology at Greenwich University in south-east London and went on to complete a teaching postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire. 

Ms Nessa also had a qualification from Cambridge to teach English as a foreign language, and friends said she hoped to one day teach in the Middle East.

Today, London mayor Sadiq Khan called violence against women and girls an ‘epidemic’ and called on men to be ‘allies’.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Mr Khan said misogyny should be made a hate crime, and harassment in a public space against women should be a criminal offence.

He said: ‘Between last year’s International Women’s Day and this year’s International Women’s Day, 180 women were killed at the hands of men across the country.

‘We do have an epidemic when it comes to violence against women and girls. 

‘She had so much life ahead of her and so much more to give and her loss is desperately sad. 

‘As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time, and we will be providing specialist support to those who need it.’ 

It came as residents told MailOnline they now fear leaving their homes after dark following Ms Nessa’s death.  

Forensics teams dressed in blue overalls are pictured combing through the grassy murder scene in Cator Park, south east London

Forensic Officers in Cator Park, Kidbrooke, south London, near to the scene where the body of Ms Nessa was found

A heavy police presence remains in the area days after the body was recovered as increased patrols have been promised. Pictured: Police stand watch at the crime scene in Cator Park

Flowers left at the edge of the park where police have sealed off an area of meadow 

One resident aged 33 who only gave her named as Naey said: ‘I’ve been wary of going out after dark every since I heard about them finding the body. 

‘I use the park to come from the station as a shortcut. There’s always people coming and going.

‘It’s scary and unnerving that it has happened so close to the main road. There surely must have been witnesses. I can’t quite believe it.’ 

George Williams, 41, who has operated his mobile fish and chip van Billingsgate Wrap regularly from the new Kidbrooke Village apartment complex over the last three years, said: ‘This is absolutely shocking. 

‘If it is a random attack by a stranger then it is extremely worrying for everyone who lives around here. I hope the police can catch whoever committed this terrible crime. 

‘The park is very open and exposed but is usually pretty busy with joggers and walkers. Surely someone must have saw something.’ 

A police officer pictured at Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south London. Officers revealed they were stepping up patrols and increasing their presence around the Kidbrooke Village neighbourhood for the next week

Sabina’s friends embrace as they pay their respects at the entrance to Cator Park, south east London on Tuesday

On Friday, officers sealed off the area and were seen standing guard while investigators collected evidence

Officers revealed they were stepping up patrols and increasing their presence around the Kidbrooke Village neighbourhood for the next week.

Meanwhile, investigators told the Evening Standard that ‘a number of crime scenes are in place’ and a massive forensic inquiry is underway as they continue to investigate the alleged murder. 

A large section of Cator park between Cambert Way and the edge of the Kidbrooke Park Village housing development remains sealed off with police tape.    

The cordoned off area includes the One Space Community Centre, tennis courts and skatepark. 

A candlelit vigil in memory of the teacher is set to take place on Friday evening at Peglar Square. Organisers are encouraging people to bring their own candles to light as they pay respects to Ms Nessa. 

Reclaim These Streets, an organisation campaigning for the safety of women and girls which planned a vigil for Sarah Everard in March, said in a statement: ‘We are angry and heartbroken to hear about the loss of yet another woman. 

‘This is an epidemic of violence against women. Enough with reports, what is the actual plan to keep us safe and alive?’ 

Safeguarding minister Rachel Maclean told the House of Commons: ‘Every woman who loses their life is one woman too much and we are devastated to hear of the loss of the life of Sabina Nessa. Our hearts go out to the family.

‘This is a Government that is passing legislation, setting out actions and tackling these horrific crimes and we are determined to see a reduction in them.’ 

Source: Daily Mail

Share this post