Jump directly to the content

THE boyfriend of a student killed at her university accommodation has been charged with her murder.

Sabita Thanwani, 19, died from her injuries at Arbour House halls of residence in Clerkenwell, London, shortly after 5am on Saturday.

Sabita Thanwani was found dead at her university accommodation in London
4
Sabita Thanwani was found dead at her university accommodation in London
Police were urgently hunting Sabita's boyfriend Maher Maaroufe and he has since been charged with murder
4
Police were urgently hunting Sabita's boyfriend Maher Maaroufe and he has since been charged with murderCredit: SWNS
Officers even made a direct appeal for him to hand himself in
4
Officers even made a direct appeal for him to hand himself inCredit: SWNS

Cops launched a homicide investigation following her death and were urgently trying to trace her partner Maher Maaroufe.

The 22-year-old Tunisian national was arrested on Sunday and has since been charged with murder, Scotland Yard confirmed this morning.

He has also been charged with assaulting an emergency worker and today appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.

Maaroufe, wearing grey clothes and a blue face mask, spoke only to confirm his name, age and that he has no fixed address.

READ MORE UK NEWS

SCORCHIO!

Brits to bask in 21C sizzler today making it hotter than TENERIFE

GRAVE ROW

UK’s biggest headstone for ‘traveller king’ Big Willy may be torn down amid fury

Police had previously appealed directly to Maaroufe to hand himself in during a London-wide manhunt.

DCI Linda Bradley, Specialist Crime said: "Maher – I am making this appeal directly to you: if you see this, please go to the nearest police station.

"It is important that we speak with you."

A post-mortem examination carried out at Whittington Hospital yesterday found Sabita died from sharp force trauma to the neck.

Most read in The Sun

Boy, 12, stabbed to death near school as teen arrested for murder
'MURDER' PROBE

Boy, 12, stabbed to death near school as teen arrested for murder

Moment worker’s husband hits her boss with a SHOVEL after he 'told wife off'
REVENGE STRIKE

Moment worker’s husband hits her boss with a SHOVEL after he 'told wife off'

Disaster for Love Island’s Ronnie as ex lands in South Africa for All Stars
NOWHERE TO RON

Disaster for Love Island’s Ronnie as ex lands in South Africa for All Stars

Dad 'strangled son's girlfriend to death then bought custard slice from bakery'
GRIM DEATH

Dad 'strangled son's girlfriend to death then bought custard slice from bakery'

The student, who was in her first year studying psychology at nearby City University of London, was found shortly after 5am on March 19.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her heartbroken family yesterday paid tribute, describing Sabita as their "angel".

They said: "Sabita was the most caring and loving person we have ever known.

"She inspired us every day of her precious 19 years of life. Her mission was to help everyone.

Read More on The Sun

HEAVY LOSSES

Russia says 10K killed in Ukraine as pro-Kremlin paper reveals cost of war

ROYAL RETURN

Andrew WILL attend service for Prince Philip after £7m payout to rape accuser

"Her whole life was ahead of her, a life where her radiant smile and incredible heart could only spread warmth and kindness.

"We will never ever stop loving or missing our beautiful, irreplaceable Sabita, the girl that was an angel upon the earth is now an angel in heaven."

Sabita, who was in her first year studying psychology at nearby City University of London, was found shortly after 5am on March 19
4
Sabita, who was in her first year studying psychology at nearby City University of London, was found shortly after 5am on March 19Credit: Louis Wood
Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU