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The best friend of an aspiring lawyer who died after being brutally attacked by a stranger said he had been left with “stomach disease” while posting heartbreaking screenshots of his latest WhatsApp exchange.
Flowers and candles were left at the site where 35-year-old Zara Aleena was ambushed on Cranbrook Road while police continue to interrogate a 29-year-old man, arrested as a murder suspect.
Scotland Yard said Ms Aleena, who worked at the Royal Courts of Justice, suffered serious head injuries as she walked towards Gants Hill Station, Ilford, early Sunday.
Her friend Lisa said she was “completely broken” while posting screenshots of the couple’s final text exchange on Facebook.
Mrs. Aleena’s friend Lisa has posted screenshots of her latest WhatsApp exchange
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He said he felt “stomach disease” after the tragic death and that “he will never get over it.”
“I’m completely broken,” he wrote.
“My best friend – for 17 years – Zara Aleena was murdered last night by a complete stranger.
“I’m surprised, I’m angry, my stomach hurts.
Officers were called to the scene by paramedics who found Ms. Aleena at 2:44 p.m.
Messages on the road on Tuesday said, “I love you to the moon and back.”
Another tribute said, “The best friend I could have ever asked for …” xxxx
“I’ll miss it all about you, your smile, the way you bite your lower lip when you thought about it, our nights … eating burgers on a step, laughing at anything and everything.”
John Dunne / Evening Standard
Another message said, “Beautiful Zara. Such a sweet soul that she deserved so much more from life. You could speak for England x.
A third said, “You deserved so much more and I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you like I did when the silly girls started trouble. You’ll always be my Zara. I love you beautiful.”
“We spent most of the weekends together. We were destined to be together this weekend, but I had to cancel and I arranged a meeting next weekend.
“Our last post was on Friday. I wish I had met her this weekend. She was murdered shit walking home!”
“I will never see her again. I will never hear her voice again.
“We always talked every day. I will never get over it.
“When will our streets be safe? Something needs to be done!
“Now rest in peace beautiful angel!”
In a screenshot of her last text exchange, Mrs. Aleena says, “I miss your beautiful face this weekend. I can’t wait to see you next weekend.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms Aleena studied law at the University of Westminster and has worked at the Royal Courts of Justice as an administrative officer since May.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, the top police officer in the area, said Monday: “Zara, who lived locally, was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was assaulted.
Zara Aleena died after being “the victim of an attack by a stranger,” said the Metropolitan Police (Metropolitan Police / AP)
“He is now believed to have been the victim of an attack by a stranger.
“Their family is aware of this and as the research progresses they will continue to be updated and supported.
“A special autopsy has been completed. Zara suffered multiple serious injuries that contributed to his death.
“There is currently no evidence that weapons were used during the attack.
“We are keeping Zara’s family up to date on our progress and my deepest condolences are with them at this terrible time,” he added.
“They’re being supported by specialized officers, but I can’t imagine the pain they have to feel.”
Police said Monday afternoon that a 29-year-old man had been arrested as a murder suspect and was in custody.
Residents spoke of their “purely horror” as forensic teams searched for clues on Cranbrook Road.
Aleena is the 16th woman killed in an act of violence in London by 2022 – a third of the 50 homicides being investigated by Met, British Transport and City of London forces.
The ratio is higher than at the same time last year, when 13 out of 60 victims were women.
A man, whose house is near the scene, said, “My neighbor heard a woman call. It was very late. The next thing we knew was a helicopter and a police dog barking. When we found out what happened was pure horror. “
Another man said the incident happened directly outside his home.
He said, “My wife heard a man screaming. Then, a little later, there were police and flashing lights everywhere. We thought he was a drunk. Now I feel guilty for being able to help. If only he had come out. “We had no idea that something horrible had happened outside our house.”
Anyone with information should call the Main Incident Room on 0208 345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.