Hundreds attend candelit vigil for Sabina Nessa
Prayers were said by religious leaders from several faiths; family paid tribute to the murdered primary school teacher
Last updated 25th Sep 2021
Hundreds of mourners gathered for an emotional candlelit vigil in memory of the "amazing, caring, beautiful" primary school teacher Sabina Nessa last night (24 Sept).
Family members wiped away tears as they spoke movingly of the sorrow the 28-year-old's murder had caused,. At the same time, detectives are renewing appeals for information about a man captured on CCTV around the time and place of her death last Friday.
Sabina Nessa vigil
Those attending Friday's vigil in Pegler Square in Kidbrooke - where mourners were asked to "say her name" in a show of solidarity - and a separate rally earlier in the evening at East London Mosque heard powerful testimony from Ms Nessa's family.
"We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early."
Jebina Yasmin Islam, Ms Nessa's sister, broke down as she addressed crowds.
"We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early."
She said: "I just want to say thank you to everyone who came today to show support for my sister.
She added: "Sabina loved her family.
"Words cannot describe how we are feeling, this feels like we are stuck in a bad dream and can't get out of it - our world is shattered, we are simply lost for words.
"No family should go through what we are going through."
Ms Nessa's uncle Shahin Miah described his niece as "a kind and a open-minded person", who was "always smiling and helping others".
He said Ms Nessa's death has "once again brought to the fore the question of women's safety on the streets".
In his statement, he said: "We don't want what happened to Sabina to happen to anyone else.
"We don't want any other mother's chest to be empty or filled with deep sorrow, or to see the tears in the eyes of any father."
Ms Nessa had been walking to meet a friend at a pub near her home when she was fatally attacked in Cator Park last weekend.
Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Lawry told the more than 500 people gathered at the vigil : "Please help us catch the person responsible for this shocking incident."
Two men were separately arrested on suspicion of her murder but were subsequently released under investigation.
The Metropolitan Police remain keen to trace a third man spotted near where Ms Nessa was killed on the night she died.
They released a 12-second clip showing a balding man wearing a black hooded coat and grey jeans, holding an orange object, looking over his shoulder and pulling at his hood.
The Duchess of Cambridge shared a personal message on Twitter, describing how she was "saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets".
On Twitter, the Duchess of Cambridge wrote: "I am saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets.
"My thoughts are with Sabina's family and friends, and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. C"
The message was signed off personally with her initial.
It is understood flowers have been laid on the duchess's behalf.