UK Police Arrest Suspect in Murder of Teacher Killed on 5-minute Walk to Meet Friend

UK Police Arrest Suspect in Murder of Teacher Killed on 5-minute Walk to Meet Friend
A police officer using a radio in the UK on Nov. 2, 2011. David Cheskin/PA Media
Reuters
Updated:

LONDON—British police said on Thursday they had arrested a suspect in the hunt for the murderer of a teacher who was killed in a London park as she made a five-minute walk from her home to meet a friend at a pub.

Sabina Nessa, 28, left her home in south London just before 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, making her way through Cator Park towards The Depot Bar on Pegler Square in Kidbrooke Village.

She never arrived and her body was found in the park the next afternoon.

“Sabina’s journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination,” said Detective Inspector Joe Garrity.

Police later said they had arrested a 38-year-old man in Lewisham, south London, on suspicion of murder. They also released pictures taken from security TV footage of a man and a vehicle, appealing to anyone who recognized either to make immediate contact.

“Any information as to his identity or whereabouts could be vital for our investigation,” said Detective Chief Inspector Neil John.

A post mortem carried out on Monday was inconclusive, police said.