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STUDENT MURDER
Urgent search for man, 22, after student, 19, murdered inside university halls as cops plea for information
POLICE are urgently searching for a 22-year-old man after a student was murdered inside a London university halls.
The Met Police have pleaded for help in tracing Maher Maaroufe after the 19-year-old woman was killed at Arbour House on Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell, shortly after 5am on Saturday morning.
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Officers are now desperately searching for the man after the teen was fatally injured at the uni accommodation and pronounced dead at the scene.
The murdered girl is understood to be a student at nearby City University of London.
Neighbours said they woke after a fire alarm was set off just half an hour before police were called.
Students living below where the girl lived on the fifth floor of the private student accommodation said they heard loud banging hours before she was found dead.
Cops said the teenager was found suffering “serious injuries” at the flat in Sebastian Street, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Around 180 other students live in the six-storey Arbour House student halls, which is next door to the City of London University.
Other students left flowers at the doorway to the halls, and paid tribute to the young girl.
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Owen Newby, 18, a first-year investment finance and Dominique Hodgett, 19, had been sleeping when they heard loud banging around 3am on the floor above.
Owen told The Sun: “We heard a few loud bangs, it sounded like someone stamping on the floor, and then we heard people running around.
“Then a few hours later we were all woken up when the fire alarm went off, and it wasn’t until we saw police this morning we realised something must have happened.
“It didn’t sound like a lot of people, I’ve been told she might have been followed home.
“It wasn’t like it was a party and we could hear music, it was just a quiet night.
“We assumed it was just a neighbour and maybe someone drunk who had come home.”
'LOUD NOISES AND BANGING'
Dominique, also an investment finance student at City of London University, said: “It’s terrifying, anyone with a fob can get into the block of flats, we don’t know what really happened.
“We heard the loud noises and banging but there wasn’t any screaming, so we didn’t think much of it.
“We didn’t know the girl, but I think she was living alone.
“It is a mix of flats, with students from all over.
“They have shared kitchens in some of them, but others are studio flats.
“I’m not sure where she lived, we’ve never been up to the flat above.”
She added: “It’s incredibly sad, and just not what anyone ever expects to hear, it’s the worst kind of news and I can’t stop thinking about her friends.
“As a young woman when you hear something like this has happened to another student it makes you scared to sleep at night.
“I won’t be staying here tonight, I don’t think I could sleep at all knowing what had happened in the flat above.”
'SCARED TO BE HERE'
Another student, who lives in the block of flats, said she didn’t hear anything last night, but paid tribute to the young girl.
She said: “You can’t believe anything like this could ever happen where you live, it’s incredibly scary.
“It makes you scared to be here. I can’t stop thinking about her friends and family.”
Some students said her killer was believed to be a 25-30 year old male.
Cops are still hunting for her attacker, and police said enquiries are under way to identify and inform her next of kin.
A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.
STUDENT ACCOMODATION
Speaking at Islington Police Station, Chief Inspector Adam Instone said in a statement: "The Metropolitan Police today has launched a murder investigation following the tragic death of a young woman in Clerkenwell.
"Despite the efforts of police officers and ambulance colleagues, a 19-year-old woman was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"We are working to ensure that the woman's family have been informed of this tragic news.
"They will be supported by the Met in the unimaginably difficult days and months ahead," he 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 underway, 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.”
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A Met Police spokesperson said: "Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call the incident room on 020 8358 1010. Alternatively, call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD1252/19March.
"You can also provide information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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