Sabina Nessa: Second man and silver car hunted by police as teacher’s ‘murder is caught on CCTV’
DETECTIVES are hunting for a SECOND man and a silver car after tragic Sabina Nessa was murdered five minutes from her home.
The teacher, 28, had been heading to a first date with an old pal when she was killed while walking through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, South East London, on Friday night.
Her body was discovered covered in leaves by a dog walker 24 hours later on Saturday, September 18.
Police have arrested a 38-year-old man from Lewisham on suspicion of murder, who remains in custody.
Officers have released CCTV footage of a second man they are looking to speak to in connection with their probe.
The footage shows the man, dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms with a dark top and shoes entering a building in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke, on the night that Sabina went missing.
Officers have also released stills of a silver car that they are looking for and believe the man had access too.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who knows the man to contact them immediately so they can speak with him.
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Cops have also reportedly obtained footage of the moment that Sabina was attacked as she left her home for the date.
A police source told the Daily Telegraph that Sabina was struck over the head with an “object” and carried away over the attacker’s shoulder towards Cator Park.
A post-mortem examination carried out on Monday, 20 September was inconclusive.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John 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 – especially those in Kidbrooke and the wider area of Lewisham and Greenwich – 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.”
Detectives say that “brilliant” Sabina left her home address on Astell Road just before 8.30pm on Friday, September 17.
They believe that she was murdered as she walked through the park, on her way to meet a date at the Depot bar.
‘HEARTBROKEN’
Pals of the tragic primary school teacher have said that she was “excited” about going on a first date with an old friend before her death.
One told The Sun: “She was a loveable person, she loved kids. She just wanted to live her life. She had many plans.
“She wanted to go to Dubai and teach children there. She was very excited, but not nervous. She was happy about seeing him.”
Another friend near her flat added: “She was looking forward to it a lot, this is so tragic. It’s awful.
“She was the nicest woman in the world. It left us all heartbroken.”
Her heartbroken sister paid tribute to the primary school teacher, writing online: “My beautiful, talented and caring sister.
“My inspiration to always put myself first and 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.”
Sabina’s journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination.
DI Joe Garrity
Zubel paid tribute to his cousin and described her as the “sweetest person” saying that the devastated family do not understand how “someone can do this”.
Her cousin Zubel Ahmed told ITV News: “She was due to go and see her family at the weekend and even that… she couldn’t even do that one last time, unfortunately.”
He added: “We went and saw her parents, they are inconsolable. It’s the worst way for someone to go.
“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.”
‘PLEASE SPEAK TO US’
But officers yesterday expressed a concern that another attack by her killer, who they believe was a stranger, “could” take place.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry has said: “It’s always a concern that it may happen, but that’s not something that we have any intelligence on at this time.”
When asked whether he believes a stranger was behind the attack, he added: “That’s definitely a line of inquiry that we’re looking at.”
Detective Inspector Joe Garrity, who is leading the murder investigation, believes there are “still others out there who may have information” that could help.
He said: “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.”
TAKE ACTION
Sabina’s death has sparked outrage after she joined a growing list of women killed in public spaces in London in recent months.
Campaigners are now demanding action to tackle violence against women in the wake of the latest tragedy.
Our Streets Now said: “It’s why we don’t walk where we want when we want.
“It’s why we tense at the sound of a car pulling up, or of a man crossing the street towards us.
“It’s why one in five girls have avoided their place of education. 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.”
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4266 or Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111.
