Thaindian News

London, Jan. 20 (ANI): An Indian-origin teenage girl was stabbed to death by a suspected robber in UK, as she walked home along a canal footpath.

A-level student, Asha Muneer, was discovered by a passer-by lying face down on a path beside the River Kennet in Reading, Berkshire, and some of the contents of her handbag were strewn nearby, The Telegraph reports.

A post-mortem found the 18-year-old died from multiple stab wounds, however, police is yet to ascertain actual motive of her murder.

“We continue to keep an open mind as to the motive for Asha’s death. A team of detectives working on the investigation are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry,” Thames Valley Police spokesman Detective Superintendent Karen Trego said.

Superintendent Jim Weems, area commander for Reading, added: “I’m confident that someone out there knows how and why this happened.”

A 19 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Muneer, was studying for her A-levels at Highdown School in Caversham, Berks, and hoped to go to university.

Friends paid tribute to Muneer on Facebook. Rebecca Stanton wrote: “A beautiful young girl doing her A-levels and preparing for uni, taken by pure evil. Words can’t describe what a loss you are.”

Janet Patewa said: “R I P Asha, you will truly be missed and loved. I will remember you for your charm and fun persona. You were fun to be around, always making everyone laugh.”

She was a part-time shop assistant at a Laura Ashley store, and was attacked as she walked home after an evening shift at the Reading Gate retail complex.

It is believed that she took a short cut home along the towpath and that her killer ambushed her from behind and stabbed her to death.

The canal is popular with dog walkers, cyclists and fishermen. But residents out walking near the murder scene said they tended to avoid the area at night because it was badly lit. (ANI)