Scotland Yard have arrested a Tunisian national on suspicion of the murder and assault of a British woman of Indian origin in her student accommodation in London.
Sabita Thanwani, a 19-year-old British national, was found with serious injuries to her neck at Arbour House student flats in Clerkenwell area of London on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police issued an urgent appeal for a 22-year-old man, Maher Maaroufe, who they said had been in a relationship with Thanwani. The wanted suspect was eventually arrested by officers on Sunday around the same area of Clerkenwell where the victim’s body was discovered a day before.
“I would like to thank everyone for publicising and sharing our appeal to trace Maaroufe,” said Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, from the Met Police Specialist Crime unit who is leading the investigation.
“Sabita’s family have been updated with this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. Our deepest condolences are with them. I would ask everyone to respect their privacy at this indescribably devastating time for them as they come to terms with Sabita’s murder,” she said.
Earlier, the Met Police had said that although formal identification remains pending, Thanwani’s family was informed ahead of a special post-mortem examination to be arranged in due course.
“Maaroufe had been in a relationship with Sabita but he was not a student. He is a Tunisian national of no fixed address,” said Detective Bradley, as part of a public appeal in the case.
In a direct appeal to the suspect, she added: “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.”
Thanwani was studying at City, University of London, and was reportedly with Maaroufe on Friday.
“As this remains an ongoing police incident, we are unable to comment on their investigation,” said a spokesperson for Unite Students, which operates the Arbour House student accommodation.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for City, University of London also said it was working closely with Unite Students.
“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,” a university spokesperson said.