Sabina Nessa: Teacher's body found minutes away from home, killer remains unknown

The Met police have been desperately trying to gather witnesses that could give them any leads on themurder of a young 28-year-old woman, Sabina Nessa. The primary school teacher was heading to the pub, which was just 5-minute walk from her home, when she was attacked in Cator Park, in southeast London. Thus far, the police only managed to arrest a man in his 40s, but he has since been released under investigation, as reported by the BBC.

A horrifying murder

On Friday (17 September) night, Nessa was on her way to The Depot, a pub in Kidbrooke Village. Authorities believe she left her home in Astell Road, a few minutes before 8:30, but she never showed up at the pub. Detective Inspector Joe Garrity said:

Sabina's journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination.

Her body was found the next morning, near the OneSpace community cafe inside Cator Park. The Met revealed that the post-mortem examination gave inconclusive results about the cause of death.

Sabina Nessa

The 28-year-old had been working at Rushey Green Primary school in Catford as a year one teacher for around a year, but she had been teaching for the past two years. Her cousin spoke to BBC about the devastating incident, and he said:

We’re still in shock. It’s been a few days, but it has not sunk in yet and we are all truly devastated. Her parents are absolutely shocked, they’re inconsolable still and understandably so...

Lisa Williams, the school's head teacher, said:

She had so much life ahead of her and so much more to give and her loss is desperately sad.

As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time, and we will be providing specialist support to those who need it.

The police are now calling upon anyone who could help them catch the killer or reveal any details about what happened that night in Cator Park. Garrity added:

We are incredibly grateful for all of those who have so far come forward and spoken to us but we believe there are still others out there who may have information that could help.

If you think you saw Sabina or any suspicious behaviour in or around the park on Friday evening please speak to us.

The Met police have also circulated information sheets for women in the community with advice on how to stay safe on the streets.