A 27-year-old woman who was found dead near a care home has been pictured for the first time as four men have been arrested amid a murder probe.
Zahwa Salah Mukhtar was found in the early hours of Saturday morning near the Chadwell House Residential Care Home, which provides residential and respite care.
Metropolitan Police officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service rushed to the scene at around 5.30am following reports of a woman being assaulted.
Despite the best efforts, Ms Mukhtar was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
After police launched a murder probe, a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Two men , aged 21 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in relation to the incident.
On Sunday, a fourth man, aged 35, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
All four men are currently in police custody, with early enquiries suggesting the incident was isolated and those involved were known to one another.
Zahwa’s family, who are currently being supported by specialist officers, issued a touching tribute to the ‘kind and loving’ 27-year-old.
Zahwa Salah Mukhtar (pictured) was found in the early hours of Saturday morning near the Chadwell House Residential Care Home, and despite the best efforts of emergency services, was pronounced dead at the scene
The emergency services worked to help Zahwa- but despite their best efforts, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene (pictured on Saturday), near the town of Romford
A cordon is in place and a white evidence tent was erected in the driveway to the care home (pictured). Officers continue to appeal for information and witnesses
A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and three men, aged 21, 22 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender (Pictured: The scene on Saturday)
‘Early enquiries by detectives indicate this is an isolated incident and those involved are believed to be known to each other’, the force added.
‘Zahwa was a kind and loving person with high aspirations in life and her presence brought warmth to those around her,’ they said in a statement.
‘She was dearly loved by her family and friends.
‘Zahwa’s tragic loss has left us heartbroken, and she will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever.’
Pictures of the scene on Saturday showed parts of nearby park Little Heath cordoned off with police tape, with the tent up while police investigated.
Officers in hazmat suits appeared to be examining a vehicle with large clear plastic bags of unknown items in them.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hobbs said: ‘Our thoughts today are with the victim’s family and friends in light of this truly tragic event.
‘Although we have now made arrests, local residents will continue to see an increased number of officers in and around the area while our investigative work is carried out.
‘I would ask anyone who was in the area of Romford, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to speak to us.’
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting 1625/16Aug or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Pictured: Woman, 27, found dead near care home in east London – as fourth man is arrested over ‘murder’