Teachers and pupils left horrified at death of Catford teacher, whose body was found near Kidbrooke community centre
A primary school’s staff and young pupils have been “devastated” by the death of a “brilliant” teacher whose body was found near a community centre, the headmistress has said.
Sabina Nessa, 28, from Kidbrooke, has been remembered as “kind, caring and absolutely dedicated to her pupils” by Lisa Williams, head of Rushey Green Primary School, Catford, where she worked.
Her body was found near the OneSpace community centre at Kidbrooke Park Road, Kidbrooke, on Saturday at 5.32pm by a woman searching for her lost necklace, who called police after a dog walker discovered the body.
Police believe a stranger may have targeted Sabina Nessa, 28, before dumping her body in a meadow, which lay undiscovered in Cator Park, for almost 24 hours.
Her death is being treated as a murder. A man in his 40s who was arrested on suspicion of killing her has been released under further investigation.
Mrs Williams said: “We are devastated by Sabina’s tragic death.
“She was a brilliant teacher; she was kind, caring and absolutely dedicated to her pupils.
“She had so much life ahead of her and so much more to give and her loss is desperately sad.
“As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time, and we will be providing specialist support to those who need it.”
A post-mortem examination carried out at Greenwich Mortuary on Monday was inconclusive, and Ms Nessa’s family have been told.
Detective Chief Inspector Joe Garrity urged anyone who might have been in the park around the time of the incident and seen someone acting suspiciously to contact police.
He said: “Sabina was found near the OneSpace community centre which we know is a facility used by lots of people and we would ask anyone who was in or around the area and who may have any information to come forward.
“Did you see someone loitering or acting suspiciously? Or, did you see someone leaving the area in a hurry, perhaps running away? If you have any information, it is vital you tell us.
“We are working around the clock to deliver justice for the family of this young woman, and we need your help to do it.”
Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, responsible for local policing in Greenwich, said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Sabina’s family and friends following this shocking incident and we will continue to provide our support to them as the investigation progresses.
“We know this incident will be worrying to those who live and work in the community. Over the next few days, they can expect to see extra high-visibility patrols both in and around the crime scene as well as other open spaces across the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich.
“As always, we are also working very closely with both local authorities to speak to our communities to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep people safe.”
A number of crime scenes are in place and inquiries are ongoing.
Ms Nessa studied sociology at Greenwich University and went on to complete a teaching postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire. Miss Nessa also had a qualification from Cambridge to teach English as a foreign language.
Janet Daby, Labour MP for Lewisham East, said: “This is devastating news. My thoughts and condolences are with Sabina Nessa’s family, and all the pupils and teachers who knew her at Rushey Green School. Yet another woman’s life lost simply for walking in a public space.”
Women’s Equality Party leader Mandu Reid, who lives nearby, posted on Twitter: “Another woman murdered in a senseless act of brutal violence. Sabina Nessa: say her name.
“She lived, worked and was murdered within a short radius of where I live in Lewisham. This could’ve been me or my sister. Enough Is Enough. We will honour her life.”