Zara Aleena: Silent walk on anniversary of murder

The murder of Zara Aleena, a law graduate from east London, has been marked on its third anniversary by a silent march.

The 35-year-old was walking home in Ilford from a night out when she was killed by sexual predator Jordan McSweeney just minutes from her front door.

Her family have said her death "was not inevitable" and that the subsequent investigation exposed failings in institutions like the probation service and the police.

McSweeney had been released from prison just nine days before he stalked, assaulted and murdered Ms Aleena in what was described as a "brutal attack".

Ms Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, said her niece's death "must mean something - it must lead to something better - that's what keeps us going.

"The anniversary is heavy, of course - but the truth is, every day since Zara was taken from us has been hard.

"Every day, it's hard to comprehend."

The walk was intended not only to honour Ms Aleena's life but also as a "protest against a system that failed her", Ms Naz said.

"Protest against a culture that excuses violence.

"What happened to Zara is not acceptable. It is not inevitable. It is not human.

"We must not look the other way.

"This day gives us space to speak her name, to honour her and to keep her at the heart of the change that's needed."

Ms Naz added: "Progress has been made, but women are still not safe.

"We hope the vigil offered a space for quiet reflection and also for shared resolve. It's a moment to remember Zara and also to recognise the depth of the injustice.

"We stand together against the violence and the systems that still enable it. We walk Zara home, and we say 'no more'."

Another marcher said it had been "a beautiful day as the community gathered to walk home a beautiful soul.

"Finishing the journey Zara Aleena couldn't when she was snatched away so cruelly three years ago.

"We can all commit to never being bystanders. Step in, call it out."

Vigil organisers said "a misogynistic culture still underpins institutions and streets", and "prevention remains secondary to response".

Ms Naz said: "Zara's legacy is already taking shape through policy shifts, public conversation, and the determination of so many people working for change."

Health Secretary Wes Streeting - who had been Ms Aleena's MP - addressed the vigil and said: "We have come together to celebrate and recognise a life that was tragically and horrifically cut short and to recognise the damage it has inflicted on our whole community.

"Women and girls who were already afraid to walk our streets are now even more afraid looking at the consequences of what happens when, on a normal night out and on your way home, something so horrific can happen in our neighbourhood."

A jury at Ms Aleena's inquest last year found her death was contributed to by multiple state agencies failing to act in accordance with policies and procedures.

Coroner Nadia Persaud issued a prevention of future deaths report, warning similar killings could occur unless action was taken.

She instructed the Probation Service and the Metropolitan Police to improve their services.

Low staffing levels, poor understanding around risk assessment and a "lack of professional curiosity" were all listed as matters of concern, as was a "lack of rigour, detail and independence" of a Met investigation into the case, Ms Persaud concluded.

On Sunday, Ms Naz was joined by the relatives of other women who have been murdered – primary school teacher Sabina Nessa and mother-of-three Jan Mustafa.

All hope to meet the prime minister next month about their campaign for a new law to force offenders to attend their sentencing hearings.

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones also attended. She said: "Today, we stand with Zara's family. With her friends. With Farah Naz, who has carried Zara's legacy with extraordinary strength and purpose.

"We stand with the families of Sabina Nessa and Jan Mustafa, who know this pain too deeply. Your grief has become a rallying cry. Your courage has driven real change."

McSweeney was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years in December 2022 after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Aleena.

In November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence to 33 years.

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