A teenager has been found dead at university accommodation in London, as a murder investigation is launched.
Police were called at around 5.10am on Saturday to Arbour House student halls on Sebastian Street in Clerkenwell.
They found a seriously injured 19-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not yet clear what injuries she suffered, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. No arrests have been made.
The teenager, who has not yet been formally identified, is understood to have been living on the top floor of the six-storey block. Students living at the accommodation said she was studying psychology at City, University of London.
One resident, a 21-year-old business student, reported hearing the fire alarm go off early on Saturday morning then the sound of someone running out of a ground floor exit.
Leona Sigmud, 20, a music student who also lives at Arbour House, said: “I saw her in the hallways but I never really spoke to her. I don’t think she was British.
“When I heard, I didn’t believe it at first. We are all feeling rather shaken up.”
The Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command is leading the murder investigation, and is calling on anyone with information to come forward.
Speaking at Islington Police Station, Chief Inspector Adam Instone said: “We are working to ensure the woman’s family have been informed of this tragic news and they will be supported by the Met in the unimaginably difficult days and months ahead.
“Arbour House is a student accommodation and I know there will be great sadness and deep concern among the local people and the student community.
“I share that sadness and concern and I can assure them that a thorough homicide investigation is under way, led by skilled and experienced detectives who will work tirelessly to identify and arrest whoever is responsible.”
Unite Students, which owns and operates Arbour House, said it was working closely with the police and City, University of London.
The university said it was fully supporting the police investigation and working closely with Unite Students.
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8358 1010, call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD1252/19March.
You can also provide information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
