An 18-year-old student whose body was found by a jogger on a footpath next to the River Kennet in Reading, Berkshire has been named as Asha Muneer. She is believed to have been walking home from her part-time job at a nearby shopping centre.
A post-mortem examination showed that she died of multiple stab wounds. The contents of her handbag were found strewn next to her and police believe that she may have been stabbed by a thief who went through it before fleeing.
The body was found at about 8.30pm on Monday. The victim is thought to have taken a shortcut along the towpath, near the A33, which is popular with dog walkers but poorly lit at night. Police are still searching for a murder weapon.
Superintendent Jim Weems said officers were “keeping an open mind” as to the motive as he appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“We believe the victim may have been walking home from work at the time of the incident,” he said. A post-mortem examination was performed yesterday afternoon.
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Police are studying closed-circuit television footage from the Brunel Retail Park and industrial estate nearby. No arrests have been made and police are still searching for a murder weapon.