Murdered student battered with brick

Murdered student battered with brick

Ms Aronen was attacked after getting off a bus

A Finnish student found dead in undergrowth on Friday was subjected to a vicious sexual attack before being battered to death with a brick.

Police believe 23-year-old Suvi Aronen was killed by a man who attacked three other women in the previous hour near the Redbridge Roundabout, on the A406 North Circular, in east London.

A post-mortem examination had taken longer than expected because of the nature of her injuries.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Shatford, who is leading the investigation, warned women in the area to exercise "extreme caution" when leaving their homes.

He warned the man could strike again.

'Ferocious attack'

Miss Aronen's body was discovered on Friday in undergrowth next to a footpath by the A12 in Wanstead following a police search.

The 23-year-old, who had been lodging in Redbridge, is believed to have been attacked after getting off a bus on Thursday.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Shatford, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was an extremely ferocious attack.

"Suvi has suffered extensive injuries in such a way that I think she was the victim of a very violent sexual assault with some internal injuries.

"The exact cause of death has to be pronounced by the pathologist. But initial examinations indicate she did receive blows to her body and head, possibly with a brick."

'Don't hurt me'

Ms Aronen got on the 366 bus after leaving the University of East London between 1630 and 1700 GMT and got off at Falmouth Gardens.

Police believe she walked through the Redbridge Roundabout underpass and on to the footway alongside the A12.

Her mother called her mobile phone at 1745 GMT and heard her shout, "Get off! Don't hurt me!" before the line went dead.

None of the other women attacked were seriously injured.

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