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Sabina Nessa

​Sabina Nessa, a 28-year-old primary school teacher, was brutally murdered on September 17, 2021, by 36-year-old Koci Selamaj in Cator Park, Kidbrooke, London. The attack was unprovoked, and her body was discovered the following day.

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Victim: Sabina Nessa, 28

Perpetrator: Koci Selamaj, 36
Date of Incident: September 17, 2021
Location: Cator Park, Kidbrooke, London

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​Key facts: 

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  • Sabina Nessa was attacked and murdered while walking through Cator Park on her way to meet a friend.

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  • The murder was a random act of violence; Koci Selamaj had no prior connection to Nessa.

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  • Selamaj was quickly identified through CCTV footage and later sentenced to life imprisonment.​​

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  • Selamaj attacked Nessa with a metal traffic triangle, striking her multiple times before dragging her into the undergrowth where he continued the assault, leading to her death.​

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  • Sabina's body was discovered by a dog walker the following afternoon, hidden under leaves and grass.

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  • CCTV footage from nearby residential buildings played a crucial role in identifying Koci Selamaj as the suspect.

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  • Selamaj was arrested in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on September 26, 2021, after the CCTV footage linked him to the crime.

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  • Selamaj had no personal connection to Nessa. The attack was described as premeditated and random, driven by his intention to commit violence against a woman.

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  • Selamaj initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to murder.

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  • In April 2022, Koci Selamaj was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 36 years.

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  • The case drew significant attention, similar to the Sarah Everard case, highlighting the vulnerability of women in public spaces.

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  • Public vigils were held in Sabina Nessa's memory, with widespread calls for better protection of women.

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  • The case, along with others, prompted renewed discussions on the safety of women and the need for systemic change to address violence against women.

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  • Both Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard were attacked while walking alone in public spaces at night in London.

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  • The proximity of the two cases in time (March and September 2021) intensified public and media focus on the issue of gender-based violence.

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  • The murders of Nessa and Everard fuelled national conversations about the safety of women, police trust, and the need for government action to prevent such tragedies.

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