Pictured: City University student Sabita Thanwani, 19, who was murdered in London halls
Pictured: City University student, 19, who was murdered in her London halls – as police launch manhunt for her ‘boyfriend’
Police launch murder probe after woman, 19, was found dead in student housing Officers called to reports of injury on Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell on SaturdayDetectives have reissued their urgent appeal for help to find Maher MaaroufeThe force said no arrests have been made yet and the investigation is ongoing
<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
(function (src, d, tag){
var s = d.createElement(tag), prev = d.getElementsByTagName(tag)[0];
s.src = src;
prev.parentNode.insertBefore(s, prev);
}(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/1.17.0/async_bundle- -.js”, document, “script”));
<!–
DM.loadCSS(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/gunther-2159/video_bundle- -.css”);
<!–
A 19-year-old student who was murdered at student accommodation in London has been named as detectives continue to search for a man she was dating.
Sabita Thanwani, a British national, died at Arbour House in Sebastian Street after she was found with severe neck injuries, police said.
A manhunt was launched by detectives in a bid to trace Maher Maaroufe, 22, who they believe had been in a relationship with Sabita.
The Tunisian national, who is not a student, is known to travel and has links across London and Cambridgeshire and police say he has since shaved his head and beard.
Police said that although formal identification is yet to take place, Sabita’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A special post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
A 19-year-old student who was murdered at student accommodation in London has been named as Sabita Thanwani, a British national who was studying at City of London University
A manhunt has been launched by detectives following the murder of a 19-year-old woman at student accommodation in central London. Police are appealing for help to find Maher Maaroufe (pictured), 22, who they believe had been in a relationship with the woman
Officers were called at around 5.10am on Saturday, to reports of a woman injured at Arbour House, student accommodation in Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell.
The London Ambulance Service and officers attended and found Sabita, believed to have been a psychology student at City, University of London, gravely injured.
Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers said anyone who sees Mr Maaroufe should not approach him but should call 999 immediately.
DCI Linda Bradley, Specialist Crime, said: ‘I am reiterating our urgent appeal for information to trace 22-year-old Maher Maaroufe.
‘He has links across London, particularly in the Marble Arch, Edgware Road, and Lewisham areas. He is also known to travel to Cambridgeshire.
‘One of the images we released shows Maaroufe with dark hair and a moustache and beard. He has now shaved his head, and has little facial hair.
‘Maaroufe had been in a relationship with Sabita but he was not a student. He is a Tunisian national of no fixed address.
‘Officers are making enquiries to trace those who had contact with him, but I would ask anyone who knew him who has yet to speak with police to please get in touch.
‘I would again ask the public not to approach him if they see him, but call 999.
‘I am also appealing, once again, for Maher Maaroufe to attend a police station immediately.
‘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.’
The 19-year-old woman, who was reportedly a first year student, is believed to have been killed on the fifth floor of a block of flats owned by Unite Students.
Her neighbour Leona Sigmud, 20, described her as ‘just a normal student’ who ‘kept herself to herself’.
The music student said: ‘She was a normal student, there was nothing special about her. I saw her in the hallways but I never really spoke to her.
The Metropolitan Police said they were called to reports of a woman injured at Unite student accommodation in Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell, on Saturday
Pictured: Police on Sebastian Street in Clekenwell, central London, where a 19-year-old woman was found dead at Arbour House student halls at City University on Saturday morning
‘Of course she was nice and was never rude. I didn’t know her personally. I don’t think she was British. When I heard someone was murdered I didn’t believe it at first. I thought it was gossip. We are all feeling rather shaken up. This doesn’t happen every day.’
Neighbour Arsh Srivastara, 21, who is a business student said: ‘At around 5.45am I heard a voice that sounded like a grown man.
‘I heard the fire alarm go off and I heard someone running out of a back ground floor exit near where I live. I thought it was the suspect.
‘After that the police showed up around half an hour later. They have been investigating ever since. I heard them talking about someone trying to escape through the hallway door.
Flowers were left at the scene near the halls of residence after a student was found dead
‘I didn’t know anything about her until today. She lived on the sixth floor.’
Flowers were left at the scene while distraught residents filed in and out of the student housing. One pair of girls, who were too upset to talk about what happened, hugged and comforted each other outside the building.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said the building had lax security which only ran from 12pm-8pm on weekdays.
The finance student, 19, added: ‘I saw the police in the morning and there were helicopters. I am completely shocked and obviously traumatised.’
Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, said earlier: ‘We believe the victim is a student who was studying at City, University of London.
‘Early indications so far suggest that the victim had been in a relationship with Maaroufe and that they had been together that evening.
Officers found the teenager suffering from serious injuries inside Arbour House and despite treatment from the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene
Pictured: Forensic officers on scene at Arbour House halls of residence after a student died
Speaking at Islington Police Station, Chief Inspector Adam Instone said: ‘Arbour House is a student accommodation and I know there will be great sadness and deep concern among the local people and the student community.
‘I share that sadness and concern and I can assure them that a thorough homicide investigation is under way, led by skilled and experienced detectives who will work tirelessly to identify and arrest whoever is responsible.
‘Tackling violent crime is the Met’s top priority. Police officers, including forensic specialists, remain at the scene. Local people will also see additional police in the area.
‘If you have any concerns about safety in and around the Clerkenwell area, please speak with those officers.’
A Unite Students spokesperson said: ‘As this remains an on-going police incident, we are unable to comment on their investigation.
‘Our priority at this time is the safety and wellbeing of students at Arbour House. We are working closely with the police and City, University of London.’
A spokesperson for City, University of London said: ‘As a university, we will do everything we can to support our students and staff and we will continue to fully support the police with their investigation.
‘We are working closely with Unite Students who own and operate Arbour House.’
Information about Maaroufe’s whereabouts can be given to police officers via 101 or @MetCC and quote CAD 1252/19MAR22, or Op Worlington.
