Finnish student murdered

Finnish student murdered

Ms Aronen was reported missing on Thursday evening

A 23-year-old Finnish student was murdered within hours of attacks on three other women in east London, police said.

The body of Suvi Aronen was found in undergrowth next to a footpath between the River Close and the A12 in Wanstead on Friday afternoon following a police search.

It is thought Ms Aronen, who had been lodging at an address in Redbridge, was attacked after getting off a bus.

Three other women aged 44, 56, and 80, were attacked in the same area near the Redbridge Roundabout on the A406 North Circular but were not seriously hurt.

Police believe the incidents could be linked.

'Don't hurt me'

Ms Aronen got on the 366 bus with a friend after leaving the University of East London between 1630 and 1700 GMT.

She got off at Falmouth Gardens and police believe she walked through the Redbridge Roundabout underpass and on to the footway alongside the A12.

Police are warning women in the area to be vigilant

At around 1745 GMT Ms Aronen's mother called her mobile phone and when it was answered she heard her daughter say "Get off, don't hurt me". The line then went dead.

Further calls to her phone went unanswered.

She was reported missing to Ilford Police at around 1915 GMT on Thursday.

In the other attacks two women had their handbags snatched and the third bit the suspect before he ran off empty handed.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Shatford, said he assumed all the attacks were linked to Ms Aronen's death and warned women in the area to be vigilant.

He said: "I am concerned that on each occasion the attacker has demonstrated an increasing propensity towards violence.

"I am also anxious to hear if any other women have been approached over the preceding days."

The suspect was white 5ft 8ins, medium build with very short, thinning ginger hair.