Sabita Thanwani: family pays tribute to ‘beautiful, irreplaceable’ student

The family of a 19-year-old student who died in her university halls in London have paid tribute to their “beautiful, irreplaceable angel”.

Sabita Thanwani, a psychology student at City, University of London, was found with serious neck injuries at her halls of residence in Clerkenwell, central London. Police and medics were called to the scene in the early hours of Saturday morning, but Thanwani died at the scene.

Maher Maaroufe, 22, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder and assault, and remains in police custody. Maaroufe, who is of no fixed address, is understood to have been in a relationship with Thanwani.

In a statement, Thanwani’s family said that she was “the most caring and loving person we have ever known”.

The statement said: “Sabita Thanwani was our daughter. Our angel. Her life, that we hoped would be long, was cut tragically short. She was ripped away from those who loved her so very dearly; her mum, dad, brother, grandparents, extended family and friends.

“Sabita was the most caring and loving person we have ever known. She inspired us every day of her precious 19 years of life. Her mission was to help everyone.

“In her short life, she helped so many. Sabita was pure and did not see bad in anyone, because there was no badness in her own awesome heart. We will never ever stop loving or missing our beautiful, irreplaceable Sabita. The girl that was an angel upon the earth is now an angel in heaven.

“We can only pray that lessons will be learnt and that somehow, there will come a day when girls and women are safe. We will never be able to thank the Metropolitan police enough for their dedication and tireless work in finding justice for our Sabita. From our hearts, we thank everyone for their love and support.

“We ask that our privacy is respected and as a family we can quietly grieve.”

DCI Linda Bradley 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.”

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