Zara Aleena murder: agencies’ failures contributed to death, inquest finds

Failures “across multiple agencies” contributed to the death of Zara Aleena, who was murdered as she walked home from a night out in east London, an inquest jury has found.

Jordan McSweeney killed the 35-year-old law graduate as she walked home from a night out in Ilford in the early hours of 26 June 2022, nine days after he was released from prison.

Aleena died in hospital from a blunt force head injury and neck compression, the jury said.

The area coroner, Nadia Persaud, paid tribute to Aleena, who died exactly two years ago, and said: “I would like to send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Zara.”

A video montage of pictures and videos from Aleena’s life was played to East London coroner’s court on Wednesday.

McSweeney was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after admitting Aleena’s murder and sexual assault.

In November 2023, he won a court of appeal challenge to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence.