Sabita Thanwani: Tunisian Maher Maaroufe arrested over 'murder' of London student

Suspect, 22, detained after victim died in university accommodation

Sabita Thanwani, 19, was a student in London. PA

Update: Man charged over Sabita Thanwani's murder

A Tunisian man has been arrested in London on suspicion of murder and assault after the death of a student in the city.

Maher Maaroufe, 22, was detained on Sunday, a day after 19-year-old Sabita Thanwani died at student accommodation in the city’s Clerkenwell district.

Mr Maaroufe, of no fixed address, remained in police custody on Monday.

“I would like to thank everyone for publicising and sharing our appeal to trace Maaroufe,” said DCI Linda Bradley, who is leading the investigation.

“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.”

Maher Maaroufe in photos released by London police. PA

Officers were called to Arbour House, a student accommodation building, at about 5.10am on Saturday after reports that Thanwani, a British citizen, had been injured.

Thanwani, a psychology student at City, University of London, had suffered serious neck injuries. Despite efforts by medics to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A statement from the family 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.

"She was studying psychology at City University to make this happen. Her whole life was ahead of her, a life where her radiant smile and incredible heart could only spread warmth and kindness.

"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."

London's Metropolitan Police had identified Mr Maaroufe as a suspect and said he had links across the capital, particularly in the Marble Arch, Edgware Road and Lewisham areas.

Police had also released images of the murder suspect as part of the manhunt.