10:33am Friday 27th May 2005
By Martina Smit
An A-level student who dreamt of becoming a singer was brutally stabbed to death six days after she disappeared from her college.
The body of Jeshma Raithatha, 17, was found on wasteland about 500 yards from her family home in Greenford, west London, on Tuesday.
She went missing on Monday 16 May, three days before her 18th birthday, while studying for her final exams in music and performing arts.
A staff member at Claremont High School was the last to see the popular teenager at around 1.30pm.
Her parents reported her missing when she failed to come home that evening. Police have been looking for her ever since.
This week detectives searched the area around a recreation ground behind Sudbury Tower in Greenford Road. In the thick undergrowth they discovered a body matching Jeshma's description.
Yesterday she was formally identified.
Detective Sue Hill, who leads the inquiry, said: "The full circumstances of Jeshma's death are yet to be established."
A post mortem found she died from multiple stab wounds to the heart on Sunday.
Terry Molloy, headteacher at Claremont High School, told the Hillingdon Times the community was "devastated" by the news of Jeshma's death.
"She was a delightful, sensitive, caring and creative young woman and an important member of our community."
Jeshma had secured a place at a well-known London university to continue with her studies.
"She will be sadly missed by all of her friends and teachers," the headteacher added.
"At this very sad time our hearts and prayers go out to Jeshma's family and her close friends whose bravery has amazed us all."
Ms Hill added: "This is a very tragic case, and a very distressing time for Jeshma's family and friends."
Police urged anyone who saw someone moving in and out of the bushes around Sudbury Tower to contact them on 0208 358 0300.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk