Police investigating the death of a teacher in her 20s in south-east London think she could have been murdered by a stranger.
Sabina Nessa, 28, was found dead in Cator Park in Kidbrooke on Saturday (September 18). Officers said on Thursday (September 23) that she was on her way to a pub, where she planned to meet a friend.
But Sabina never arrived and is thought to have been killed in the park. Her body was found near a community centre in the park at around 5.30pm the following day. A man was later arrested in Lewisham on suspicion of murder.
Det Ch Supt Trevor Lawry told a press conference: “People should be free to walk around free from fear and officers are here to make sure that can take place.”
Asked whether officers think Sabina was attacked by a stranger, he said: “That is definitely a line of inquiry that we are looking at.”
Greenwich murder victim named as primary school teacher Sabina Nessa
At about 9:20pm the same day, police attended a property in Lewisham and arrested a man, aged in his 40s, on suspicion of murder.
He was taken into custody at a south London police station and subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Police have thanked everyone who has helped the investigation so far but have appealed for more information.
Detective Inspector Joe Garrity, leading the investigation, 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.
“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.”
A post-mortem carried out at Greenwich Mortuary on Monday, 20 September was inconclusive.
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4266 or Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sabina, a year one teacher, had been working for just over a year at Catford’s Rushey Green Primary. A vigil is set to be held for her on Friday evening (September 23).