An Albanian man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Sabina Nessa, who was killed as she walked to meet a friend in south-east London.
Koci Selamaj, 36, was arrested in a police raid on his home in Eastbourne, East Sussex at 3am on Sunday.
Mr Selamaj, of Terminus Road in Eastbourne, wore a prison issue grey tracksuit as he made his first court appearance at Willesden Magistrates' Court in north west London.
He spoke only to give his name, address and date of birth during the brief 5 minute hearing.
The body of Sabina Nessa, a 28 year old primary school teacher was found, partially covered by leaves, in Cator Park in Kidbrooke on Saturday 18 September.
The murder scene is just a few minutes walk from Ms Nessa’s home.
The Depot bar in Kidbrooke, south London, where Sabina Nessa is thought to have been heading on the night she was murdered.
Dominic Lipinski
The night before, she had been walking to The Depot bar in Kidbrooke Village for drinks with a friend, but never arrived.
The young woman’s death resulted in an outpouring of sympathy and anger, with more than 500 people attending a candlelight vigil near the murder scene last Friday evening.
Floral tributes have continued to be left in near the scene and a book of condolence has been opened in the One Space community centre, close to where Ms Nessa's body was found.
Many, who were not able to make it to Friday’s vigil, including the Duchess of Cambridge, left tributes and messages of support for Sabina’s family on social media.
Koci Selamaj’s solicitor indicated that his client would be pleading not guilty to the murder charge he faces.
He was remanded back into custody by District Judge Denis Brennan and will appear in crown court on 30 September.
