Ex-boyfriend and his father held over death of woman, 18

Student stabbed in the neck while travelling to see friends at a party

(pa)

The ex-boyfriend of an 18-year-old girl stabbed to death in an east London street has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Aliza Ahmed Mirza was attacked as she made her way to a party early on Saturday evening. She was knifed in the neck and bled to death.

Detectives investigating the case have arrested her 17-year-old former boyfriend and his 45-year-old father. The ex-boyfriend's mother, 41, and 20-year-old sister were held on suspicion of assisting an offender along with another man, aged 42.

Ms Mirza, an A-level student from Ilford, Essex, was making her way to a get-together with friends when she was stabbed. Her body was found by a passer-by two hours later in a side street in Manor Park.

Ms Mirza's father spoke of his grief and called his daughter "a diamond". He said he last saw her as she left to go to the party and hours later police were at the door to say she had been killed.

Mr Mirza said: "Aliza went out at 5pm and three hours later the police knocked on our door. It is so awful. We do not know why this has happened. Aliza was a diamond. You cannot imagine our loss. We've lost everything. That's how much she means to us."

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Clayman from the Metropolitan police said he was keeping an open mind about the motive and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: "We believe that there would have been people in and around the Forest View Road area that we hope may have seen our victim, who is an Asian female of slim build, either on her own or with another person or persons, and we are appealing for these people to contact us.

"We are also keen to hear from anybody who may have seen or heard anything they think was suspicious or who may have seen anyone leaving the area, either on foot or in a car."

Ms Mirza was studying for A-levels at Canon Palmer High School and planned to pursue a career in the media.

Yesterday, police were interviewing the five suspects at police stations in east London. A post-mortem result last night showed the cause of death to be a stab wound to the neck.

At the scene of the killing friends paid their respects to Ms Mirza. One said: "Aliza was such a nice girl. She was so friendly, even to people she had just met."

Almost 1,000 friends and relatives joined a Facebook group in tribute to her. One – Nabzye – wrote: "Love to you little sis. Can't get my head round this. I can't believe there's even a group for this.

"It still don't seem real that you're gone. No more telling you to tidy your room, no more anything. No one should have the right to take you from us in that way. Makes me sick. Will always keep you in my prayers."

Amy Allanna Daramadas wrote: "It ain't gonna be the same without you. You made lessons worthwhile and made me laugh so much... can't believe you're gone, but I'll always keep the memories alive. Missing you, love you always."

Nisha Shah wrote: "I can't believe this! Why does it have to be you? Why did you have to leave us? This going to be really hard. Rest in peace Princess." Priya Kaur wrote: "Heaven gained the most gorgeous angel there ever was. Love you Aliza."