A best friend of a would-be lawyer who died after being brutally attacked by a stranger said she had a “sick stomach” as she posted heartbreaking screenshots of their latest WhatsApp exchange. Flowers and candles were left at the spot where Zara Aleena, 35, was ambushed on Cranbrook Street as police continued to question a 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder. Scotland Yard said Ms Aleena, who worked at the Royal Court of Justice, suffered serious head injuries as she walked towards Gants Hill Station, Ilford early Sunday. Lisa’s girlfriend said she was “completely broken” as she posted screenshots of the couple’s final text exchange on Facebook. Ms. Aleena’s girlfriend, Lisa, posted screenshots of the latest WhatsApp exchange / Facebook

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She said she felt “sick in her stomach” after her tragic death and “will never, ever get over it”. “I am completely devastated,” he wrote. “My best friend – for the last 17 years – Zara Aleena was murdered last night by a complete stranger. “I am shocked, I am angry, I feel sick in my stomach. Police were called to the scene by paramedics who found Ms Aleena at 2.44am. The messages on the street, on Tuesday, said: “I love you to the moon and back”. Another tribute said: “The best friend I could have ever asked for …” xxxx “I will miss everything about you, your smile, the way you bite your lower lip when you think, our nights out ρώ eating burgers on a step, laughing at everything and everything.” John Dunne / Evening Standard Another message read: “Beautiful Zara. Such a sweet soul that deserved much more than life. Could you talk about England x. A third said: “You deserved a lot more and I’m sorry I could not protect you like I did when the stupid girls started having problems. You will always be my Zara. I love you beautiful. “ “We spent most of the weekends together. We were supposed to be together this weekend, but I had to cancel it and I arranged to meet next weekend. “Our last message was on Friday. I wish I had met her this weekend. He was killed while walking home! “I will never see her again, I will never hear her voice again. “We always talked every day. I will never get over this. “When will our roads be safe? Something has to be done! “Now rest in peace beautiful angel!” In a screenshot of their latest text exchange, Ms Aleena says: “I miss your beautiful face this weekend. “I look forward to seeing you next weekend.” According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms. Aleena studied law at Westminster University and has worked at the Royal Courts of Justice as an administrator since May. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, the senior officer in charge of policing in the area, said Monday: “Zara, who lived in the area, was walking along Cranbrook Street in the direction of Gants Hill Station when she was attacked. Zara Aleena died after being “attacked by a foreigner”, Metropolitan Police (PA) said “It is now believed that he was attacked by a stranger. “Her family is aware of this and as the investigation progresses it will continue to be informed and supported. “A special autopsy was completed. Zara suffered multiple serious injuries that contributed to her death. “There is no evidence at this time that weapons were used in the attack. “We are keeping Zara’s family informed of our progress and my deepest condolences are with them at this great time,” he added. “They are backed by specialist officers – but I can not imagine the pain they must feel.” Police announced Monday afternoon that a 29-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held in custody. Residents spoke of their “absolute terror” as forensic teams searched Cranbrook Street for clues. Ms Aleena is the 16th woman to be killed in violence in London so far in 2022 – a third of the 50 homicides investigated by the Met, British Transport and City of London. The proportion is higher than the same period last year, when 13 out of 60 victims were women. A man whose house is near the spot said: “My neighbor heard a woman screaming. It was too late. The next thing we knew was that a helicopter and a police dog were barking. “When we found out what happened it was a complete horror.” Another man said the incident happened just outside his home. He said: “My wife heard a man shouting. Then, a little later, there were police everywhere and flashing lights. We thought he was a little drunk. Now I feel guilty that I could have helped. I wish I had gone out. “We had no idea something so horrible had happened outside our house.” Anyone with information should call the main event room on 0208 345 3715 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.