The family of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa have said they are “shocked” by her death – as mourners attend a vigil held in her memory.

The memorial is being held in Cator Park, where the 28-year-old was attacked as she walked to meet a friend at a pub near her home in Kidbrooke, southeast London, last Friday.

Her body was found the following day.

The vigil comes after police released a 38-year-old man arrested in connection with her murder.

He was arrested on Thursday at an address in Lewisham, but has now been released under investigation.

Ahead of the vigil and a community rally at East London Mosque, Ms Nessa’s sister Jebina Yasmin Islam said: “We as a family are shocked of the murder of our sister, daughter and aunty to my girls.

“There are no words to describe how we are feeling as a family at the moment. We did not expect that something like this would ever happen to us.

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“I urge everyone to walk on busy streets when walking home from work, school or a friend’s homes. Please keep safe.

“I ask you to pray for our sister and make dua (supplication) for her. May Allah grant her paradise.”

Ms Nessa, who taught at Rushey Green Primary School, was attacked at around 8.30pm.

The Metropolitan Police has issued CCTV images of another man it wishes to speak to over her death, as well as an image of a silver vehicle it believes the man had access to, which was also seen in the area.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe urged anyone who may know the man to contact them.

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Two arrests have now been made in relation to Ms Nessa’s murder.

A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation, the Met said previously.

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Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust race equality think tank, said Ms Nessa was “a beautiful, intelligent young woman who had so much life to live”.

Ms Begum, whose family knew Ms Nessa, said: “Speaking as a woman and a Londoner from the city’s Bangladeshi community, I’m heartbroken.

“Sabina is related to members of my extended family and everything I know about her speaks of a beautiful, intelligent young woman who had so much life to live, and so, so much to offer in terms of making a positive difference to the people’s lives she touched, not least her family’s and the young children she taught at school.”

Ms Begum urged everyone attending a memorial event on Friday for Ms Nessa to “take care this evening, solidarity to yourself and women across London and the UK – all we can do is hope for no more horrendous instances like this, and the countless others these past few months.”

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