Failures 'across multiple agencies' contributed to murder of Zara Aleena
Failures "across multiple agencies" contributed to the murder of Zara Aleena, an inquest has found.
The 35-year-old law graduate was killed as she walked home from a night out in east London.
Her killer Jordan McSweeney was freed from prison nine days before he attacked Ms Aleena as she walked home in Ilford on 26 June 2022.
Ms Aleena died in hospital from a blunt force head injury and neck compression, the jury said.
Area coroner Nadia Persaud paid tribute to Ms Aleena, who died two years to the day, 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 throughout Ms Aleena's life was played at 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 Ms Aleena's murder and sexual assault.
In November 2023 he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence.
Ms Persaud had asked jurors to consider whether any failings by the prison and probation services or Metropolitan Police contributed to Ms Aleena's death.
Police were unable to make contact with McSweeney after he was released on licence on 17 June 2022, but probation waited five days before initiating his recall to prison.
He missed his probation appointment on the day he was let out, with his mother telling staff he had passed out drunk at her house. Although it was rescheduled twice McSweeney did not attend either appointment and his mother again said she did not know where he was.
Despite the lack of contact his recall was not initiated until 22 June and the recall report was signed on 24 June 2022.
Police were given powers to arrest McSweeney at 4.10pm the same day. In the early hours of 26 June McSweeney murdered Ms Aleena.
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