An inquest into the death of Zara Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate, has heard that her family is "tortured" by the belief that her death was preventable. Aleena was murdered by Jordan McSweeney in Ilford, east London, while she walked home in the early hours of June 26, 2022. McSweeney, who had been released from prison on licence on June 17, 2022, was already marked for recall to prison on June 24, 2022, due to breaches of his licence conditions. Despite this, he remained free and committed the murder two days later.
In December 2022, McSweeney was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 38 years by the Old Bailey but had the minimum term reduced upon appeal in November 2023.
Speaking to the inquest jury at East London Coroner's Court in Walthamstow, Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, emphasized the failures of the justice system and described how Aleena was a dedicated carer for her mother and grandmother, and had recently secured a job as a legal assistant at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Coroner Nadia Persaud stated that the inquest aims to examine the circumstances of Aleena's death, including any possible failings by state bodies that may have contributed. The jury was informed that McSweeney, now 29, had a criminal history dating back to his first custodial sentence at age 13 and had spent much of his adult life in prison or on licence. The cause of death was determined as blunt force head injury and neck compression. The inquest continues.