‘CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU'
Heartbreaking final message of murdered aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena sent just hours before Ilford stranger killing
THE heartbreaking last message to a pal sent by an aspiring lawyer who was brutally murdered while walking home has been revealed.
"Bubbly" Zara Aleena, 35, was attacked by a man who "came at her from behind" in the early hours of Sunday morning.
8
8
8
Now, her friend Lisa has taken to Facebook to share the pair's final text exchange - in which Zara said she "can't wait" to see her pal next weekend.
Lisa wrote on Facebook: "I am completely broken.
"My best friend - for the past 17 years - Zara Aleena was murdered last night by a complete stranger.
"I am shocked, I am angry, I feel sick to my stomach.
Read more UK news
"We spent most weekends together. We were meant to be together this weekend but I had to cancel and arranged to meet next weekend.
"Our last message was on Friday. I wish I had met her this weekend. She got f***ing murdered walking home!
"I will never see her again. I will never hear her voice again.
"We always spoke everyday. I will never get over this ever.
Most read in The Sun
"When will our streets be safe? Something needs to be done!
"Now you rest in peace beautiful angel!"
She also shared a screen grab of the pair's last WhatsApp message exchange.
Zara said: "Miss your beautiful face this weekend. Can't wait to see you next weekend."
The aspiring lawyer was walking home from a night out in Ilford, East London, when she was killed.
The attack has been likened to the tragic murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa.
Cops have arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of Zara's murder.
A neighbour - who lives opposite the attack and provided CCTV to cops - told the : "The guy came from the back, he was following her.
"It happened on the main road. He punched her a few times."
Cops don't believe any weapons were used in the attack.
Zara's friend Nadia, 42, said the aspiring lawyer decided to walk home because she was so nearby.
"She just decided to walk home because it was close by. Nothing like that has ever happened here.
My best friend - for the past 17 years - Zara Aleena was murdered last night by a complete stranger. I am shocked, I am angry, I feel sick to my stomach.
Zara's friend Lisa
"She wanted to borrow some heels and some mascara from me that night, but I couldn't answer my phone as I was busy.
"She was a gentle soul, she wouldn't hurt a fly. She just passed her law degree and was working in central London.
"She wanted to become a lawyer so she could provide for herself and her family."
Zara's family have now told of their devastation.
A cousin, who asked not to be named, told that she had been working at the Royal Courts of Justice as an administration officer while searching for a job as a trainee solicitor.
"She was a lovely person," he said.
"It's such a shock for the family."
He called the law graduate "bubbly" and said she "brought life to the room".
A fundraiser has been set up for a local memorial to murdered Zara.
Pal Nadia Butt wrote on : ";Everyone that met Zara always mentioned how kind and selfless she was.
"She was truly a gentle soul. She loved caring for animals.
8
8
8
"In fact, that's how we met and became friends. We were both trying to rescue a stray cat!
"Zara selflessly used to look after her family. She used to help her nan and mum with their doctors appointments, chores and shopping."
Other pals said Zara was warned not to travel alone at night days before she was killed.
A close friend and neighbour had seen her on Saturday - a day before she died.
Zara said she was planning on going out with friends that Sunday and the pal said she should get a bus.
The friend - who asked not to be named - said: "She loved to walk because she was always going from here to her mother and grandmother’s house.
"She walked a lot and she enjoyed it.
"But I did say to her on that evening to get the bus home and she said she was going to.
"So why she didn’t, I don’t know."
Another friend said Zara's parents are too devastated to speak.
Cops say she was attacked on Cranbrook Road as she walked in the direction of Gants Hill Station.
KILLED MOMENTS FROM HOME
Police and paramedics were called to the scene at 2.44am.
Met Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said: "Zara, who lived locally, was walking along Cranbrook Road in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was assaulted.
"It is now believed that she was the victim of an opportunist stranger attack.
"Tackling violence against women and girls is an absolute priority for the Met.
"Every day our officers are working with partners across the capital to improve safety in our public spaces.
"Women should not have to change their behaviour and should be able to go about their business, feeling safe, any time of day or night.
"It's our job to ensure that happens – but officers cannot be in all places at all times.
"I would urge our community, especially women, to report any suspicious or unwanted behaviour and seek help if you feel threatened."
The force is urging anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area of Ilford between 2am and 3am on Sunday to contact them.
One neighbour said: "I came home about that time. We had just been to an Ed Sheeran concert.
She was lovely... she brought life to the room
"I heard screaming but I didn't know whether it was a child or a fox.
"I didn't think much of it.
"It's a shock because it at 2am it was still busy with lots of cars."
Subhash, 60, who lives just off Cranbrook Road, said he was woken up by a helicopter at around 3am.
"It worries me a little bit that something like that is happening on my doorstep," he said.
"It's not just my daughter. It's other daughters, other girls, other women in the area."
Locals have planned a march in Zara's memory on August 28.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
Anyone with information or relevant footage is asked to call the police's major incident room on 0208 345 3715.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online via
8
8
Topics