U.S. authorities have arrested the 22-year-old man after his girlfriend who was stuyding at City University student was found dead with severe neck injuries in her London halls.
Maher Maaroufe was arrested on Sunday afternoon in Clerkenwell on suspicion of murder and assault on police.
Sabita Thanwani, a British national, died at Arbour House in Sebastian Street after she was found with severe neck injuries, police said.
A manhunt was launched by detectives in a bid to trace Maaroufe who they believe had been in a relationship with Sabita.
The Met Police have released a CCTV image of Maher at the student accommodation on Saturday morning.
The Tunisian national, who is not a student, is known to travel and has links across London and Cambridgeshire. Police say he has since shaved his head and beard.
Police said that although formal identification is yet to take place, Sabita’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A special post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
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.
‘I would ask everyone to respect their privacy at this indescribably devastating time for them as they come to terms with Sabita’s murder.’
Officers were first called at around 5.10am on Saturday, to reports of a woman injured at Arbour House, student accommodation in Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell. The London Ambulance Service and officers attended and found Sabita, believed to have been a psychology student at City, University of London, gravely injured.
Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers said anyone who sees Mr. Maaroufe should not approach him but should call 999 immediately.
The 19-year-old woman, who was reportedly a first-year student, is believed to have been killed on the fifth floor of a block of flats owned by Unite Students.
Her neighbour Leona Sigmud, 20, described her as ‘just a normal student’ who ‘kept herself to herself’.
The music student said: ‘She was a normal student, there was nothing special about her. I saw her in the hallways but I never really spoke to her.
‘Of course she was nice and was never rude. I didn’t know her personally. I don’t think she was British. When I heard someone was murdered I didn’t believe it at first. I thought it was gossip. We are all feeling rather shaken up. This doesn’t happen every day.’
Neighbour Arsh Srivastara, 21, who is a business student said: ‘At around 5.45am I heard a voice that sounded like a grown man.
‘I heard the fire alarm go off and I heard someone running out of a back ground floor exit near where I live. I thought it was the suspect.
‘After that, the police showed up around half an hour later. They have been investigating ever since. I heard them talking about someone trying to escape through the hallway door.
‘I didn’t know anything about her until today. She lived on the sixth floor.’
Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, said earlier: ‘We believe the victim is a student who was studying at City, University of London.
‘Early indications so far suggest that the victim had been in a relationship with Maaroufe and that they had been together that evening.
Speaking at Islington Police Station, Chief Inspector Adam Instone 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.
