City University Student Aged 19 Found Dead In London Halls

At around 5:10am on Saturday morning the 19^th of March, police officers were called to Arbour House in Sebastian Street in Clerkenwell, Islington, following a report of a woman suffering serious injuries. The 19-year-old, who was a student at the City, University of London, was pronounced dead at the scene in her student accommodation in Central London. Read on for the latest developments on the ongoing case.

The victim, named Sabita Thanwani, aged 19, is believed to have been in her first year at City, University of London; she was an international student studying psychology. Police were called in the early hours of the 19^thof March on Saturday when flatmates heard screams from a room; police and medics attended to the woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police launched a murder investigation right away and since have arrested a man who is believed to be a suspect. His name was revealed as Maher Maaroufe, aged 22, and is reported to be the boyfriend of the victim. The arrest took place on Sunday afternoon the day after the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, who leads the investigation, said, “I would like to thank everyone for publicising and sharing our appeal to trace Maaroufe. Sabita’s family have been updated with this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. Our deepest condolences are with them.”

A business management student, who is in her first year at City, University of London, spoke to MyLondon and said, “I think she knew him. People who live in the same flat have said they think they were on a date or something. My friend who lives on the fifth floor, which is the same flat as the girl, said her housemates called the police after they heard screaming coming from her room. I think it’s quite dangerous in London, I didn’t expect something like this to happen, to me or to any of my friends, or the building where I live. I feel really scared and I’m not sure I want to stay here anymore, because it’s really scary.”