Sabina Nessa : Teacher was walking to meet friend at bar when killed

Officers investigating the murder of Sabina Nessa have released details of the route she was travelling at the time of the attack in the hope that any further witnesses will come forward.

Detectives understand that Sabina, aged 28, left her home address on Astell Road, SE3 just before 20:30hrs on Friday, 17 September.

It is believed that she was making her way through Cator Park towards The Depot bar on Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village where she planned to meet a friend.

Sabina never arrived at the pub and is thought to have been murdered as she walked through the park.

Her body was found close to the OneSpace community centre within the park at around 17.30hrs the following day.

A murder investigation was immediately launched, led by Detective Inspector Joe Garrity. He said: “Our investigation is making good progress and specialist officers remain at the crime scene carrying out intensive searches and enquiries.

“We are incredibly grateful for all of those who have so far come forward and spoken to us but we believe there are still others out there who may have information that could help. If you think you saw Sabina or any suspicious behaviour in or around the park on Friday evening please speak to us.

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“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 – as are we – and we are using every resource available to us to find the individual responsible.”

Detectives investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in Kidbrooke are urging witnesses and those with information to come forward.

Police were called at 17:32hrs on Saturday, 18 September after a body was discovered near a community centre in Cator Park, Kidbrooke Park Road, SE3.

The woman has now been identified as 28-year-old Sabina Nessa from Kidbrooke.

A post-mortem examination carried out at Greenwich Mortuary on Monday, 20 September was inconclusive.

Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The investigation is led by Detective Inspector Joe Garrity from the Specialist Crime Command. He said:“Our initial enquiries suggest that this attack happened at around 20:30hrs on Friday, 17 September, a time when the park was likely being used by many people from dog walkers to joggers.

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“Sabina was found near the OneSpace community centre which we know is a facility used by lots of people and we would ask anyone who was in or around the area and who may have any information to come forward.

“Did you see someone loitering or acting suspiciously? Or, did you see someone leaving the area in a hurry, perhaps running away? If you have any information, it is vital you tell us.

“We are working around the clock to deliver justice for the family of this young woman, and we need your help to do it. Please contact 0208 721 4266, or 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers.”

Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, responsible for local policing in Greenwich, said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Sabina’s family and friends following this shocking incident and we will continue to provide our support to them as the investigation progresses.

“We know this incident will be worrying to those who live and work in the community. Over the next few days, they can expect to see extra high-visibility patrols both in and around the crime scene as well as other open spaces across the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich.

“As always, we are also working very closely with both local authorities to speak to our communities to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep people safe.”

A man, aged in his 40s, arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

A number of crime scenes are in place and enquiries are ongoing.

Sabina Nessa’s body was discovered in a London park over the weekend and has prompted a police investigation into the young teacher’s death.

The 28-year-old teacher, who taught Year One at Rushney Green Primary School in Catford, was discovered on September 18, 2021.

It is thought that the teacher was watching home through Cator Park, Kidbrooke when she was murdered.

Police suspect that she was killed around 8:30 pm on September 17, 2021. However, her body wasn’t found until the next day by a member of the public.

Police arrested a man in his 40s under the suspicion of murder but let the suspect go after further investigation. 

The local Kidbrooke community and women’s safety groups are arranging a vigil that will take place a week after her death, this Friday night in Peglar Square, Kidbrooke Village.

Reclaim the Streets, a group that was highly publicized when they helped organize the vigils for Sarah Everard—another woman whose kidnapping and murder sparked a public outcry about women’s safety—has made a statement about the upcoming vigil.

The group announced on Twitter, “On Friday night, we will join Sabina Nessa’s community in solidarity against violence against women and to acknowledge her life.”

“Join us in Peglar Square at 7 pm. If you can’t join in person, please light a candle at 7 pm on your doorstep. RT and share. Say her name. 

Social media users have been quick to point out that despite the similarities with the Sarah everard case but much less attention has been given to Sabina’s brutal murder.

The two women were both murdered while walking home alone in London.

Her cousin told BBC news she “was the most caring person – kindest, sweetest girl you could meet”.

“She’s been teaching for two years.

Loves teaching, loves kids, she’s got a couple of cats at home.

She was just a beautiful soul.”

The area where she was found remains cordoned off and flowers have been left at the site.

Ms Nessa was described by colleagues as “kind, caring and dedicated”. The school’s headteacher Lisa Williams said: “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.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also paid tribute, saying he had been left “heartbroken” by her death.

“The perpetrator of this despicable crime must be caught and brought to justice which is why I want to encourage anyone who may have been in the park around the time of the incident, and may have relevant information, to contact the police,” he added.

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.

She added that the government was “passing legislation, setting out actions and tackling these horrific crimes and we are determined to see a reduction in them”.

More than 200 personal alarms have been handed out to women around the area where primary school teacher Sabina Nessa was found dead.

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