Family of Zara Aleena vow to bring change after her death
The 35-year-old was killed on Sunday when walking home
Last updated 1st Jul 2022
The family of law graduate Zara Aleena have said they feel they will never get closure after her death but are determined to bring about change in light of losing her.
They said they are determined to speak with political leaders to tackle violence against women and girls.
The 35-year-old Londoner died in the early hours of Sunday 26 June as she walked home from a night out along Cranbrook Road in Ilford, east London, an area she knew well and where she felt "safe".
Zara Aleena’s Family Statement
Zara Aleena’s maternal aunt, Farah Naz has spoken in east London.
Farah Naz said her "independent" and "big-hearted" niece "was the joy, the light of our home", and spoke of the family's determination to "change something" in honour of the "extrovert".
Ms Naz told reporters: "I don't think there is going to be closure, this is just the beginning of the conversation we need to have.
'We have got to change something'
"I want to reach out and do something important and act, because that's what Zara was about - we have got to change something.
"I want to speak to the leaders of this country, I want to talk about the setting up of projects right now to prevent violence."
Ms Naz said her niece - known to family members as Zash or Zasherooni - was conscious of the dangers women faced, particularly following the recent murders in London of Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman, Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, but felt "safe" walking in her local community where she was "known to everybody".
'It's about changing mindset'
"Zara was not a woman who was unaware that there were dangers in the world," Ms Naz said.
"She did not imagine what happened to those women would happen to her, she didn't know she was going to be on this list because in her mind she took those precautions."
She added: "This is about a young woman who lost everything, and about a society who lost someone who was giving, someone who was good.
"That she spent the last few minutes of her life looking at something so horrible torments us.
"She was not ignorant to the fact that women get hurt. This isn't about making the streets safe, it's about changing the mindset."
'Feeling crushed and unsafe'
Ms Naz said the family have been inundated with condolences and offers of support by members of the community, including various faith groups, friends, and the families of other women including those of Ms Henry, Ms Smallman, and Ms Nessa.
She said: "Our whole community has reached out to us and let us know how devastated they are, and how crushed they feel and how unsafe they feel, people have reached out to us and said their lives are not going to be the same."
Ms Naz said her niece was "the happiest she had ever been", having begun working for the Royal Courts of Justice five weeks before she was killed.
Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for a silent vigil for Ms Aleena on Saturday afternoon, to "walk her home".
Weeping, she added: "We will never get through this, but it (the walk) will help us."
Man accused for the murder of Zara Aleena
A man has been accused of murdering Zara Aleena, he's been held in custody and has appeared in court this morning, Friday 1 June.
The 29-year-old Jordan McSweeney is accused of killing 35-year-old Zara Aleena, alongside being accused of robbing her of her mobile phone, keys and handbag, and attempted rape.
He entered no pleas and was remanded in custody.
What happened in court?
McSweeney appeared via video link from HMP Thameside, and was seen covering his face with his hands ahead of the hearing before sitting back in his chair.
McSweeney later pulled his jumper up over his face and fiddled with the microphone, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
He will next appear at the Old Bailey on 30 September for a plea hearing.
Tribute to Zara Aleena
In a tribute released after her death, they described her as “a beloved human, child, niece, cousin, granddaughter, friend to all, she was a joy to all of us.”
The tribute also read, ““In a savage, sickening, act she was murdered by a stranger, she's not the only woman who has lost her life like this.
"We must prevent and stop violence against women and girls."
Vigil for Zara Aleena
A vigil is taking place tomorrow, Saturday 2 July, for Zara Aleena.
The gathering will walk the route she should have taken home, her family said, “We want to bring her back where she belonged safely.”
It will start opposite Cranbrook Rise on Cranbrook Road in Ilford, meeting at 1:30pm and leaving to walk at 2:17pm, marking the time she was attacked in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Those attending have been asked to wear white, and the family have requested that “as we walk Zara home in our hearts the mood remains silent and sombre.”