LONDON: A man has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of 19-year-old Sabita Thanwani who was killed in her central London student accommodation.
Maher Maaroufe, 22, was held on Sunday on suspicion of murder after detectives appealed for information on his location.
According to the Metropolitan Police, he was in a relationship with Thanwani at the time of her death. The police said he is also being held on suspicion of assault and remains in custody.
Thanwani, a British national, was discovered with serious neck injuries at Arbour House — accommodation for students in Clerkenwell — on Saturday.
Although her body has not been formally identified, “Sabita’s family have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers,” the police said.
She was found on Saturday morning and, despite the assistance of paramedics, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, Thanwani’s family said: “Sabita was our daughter. Our angel. Her life, that we hoped would be long, was cut tragically short. She was ripped away from those who loved her so very dearly, her mum, dad, brother, grandparents, extended family, and friends.
“We can only pray that lessons will be learnt and that somehow, there will come a day when girls and women are safe.
“Sabita was the most caring and loving person we have ever known. She inspired us every day of her precious 19 years of life. Her mission was to help everyone.
“Her whole life was ahead of her, a life where her radiant smile and incredible heart could only spread warmth and kindness.
“In her short life, she helped so many. Sabita was pure and did not see bad in anyone, because there was no badness in her own awesome heart.
“We will never ever stop loving or missing our beautiful, irreplaceable Sabita. The girl that was an angel upon the earth is now an angel in heaven,” the statement added.
