A teacher is thought to have been murdered in a park during a five-minute walk from her home to the pub where she was due to meet a friend, police have said.

       Officers investigating the killing of Sabina Nessa said she left her home on Astell Road and walked through Cator Park last Friday towards The Depot bar in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village, when she was attacked.

       The Metropolitan Police said her body was found near the OneSpace community centre at Kidbrooke Park Road in the Royal Borough of Greenwich on Saturday.

       "Sabina never arrived at the pub and is thought to have been murdered as she walked through the park," the force said.

       A post-mortem examination on the 28-year-old, carried out on Monday, was inconclusive.

       It is believed that Ms Nessa was found under a pile of leaves by a dog walker on Saturday morning, nearly 24 hours after police suspect she was killed.

       The Metropolitan Police never received a missing persons report.

       Friends, fighting back tears, laid flowers in front of the green where her body was found on Saturday afternoon.

       One reads: "Dear Sabina I miss you so very much.

       "RIP my beautiful friend”, with the drawing of a heart.

       Earlier in the week, forensics were seen combing the grass and bushes surrounding the centre, near the five-a-side football field and skatepark.

       The Sabina Nessa murder inquiry, in pictures

       'Journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it'

       Detective Inspector Joe Garrity said: "Our investigation is making good progress and specialist officers remain at the crime scene carrying out intensive searches and enquiries.

       "We are incredibly grateful for all of those who have so far come forward and spoken to us but we believe there are still others out there who may have information that could help.

       "If you think you saw Sabina or any suspicious behaviour in or around the park on Friday evening please speak to us.

       "Sabina’s journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination.

       "We know the community are rightly shocked by this murder – as are we – and we are using every resource available to us to find the individual responsible."

       A vigil is planned for Friday.