12:08pm Thursday 18th May 2006
By Sukhi Anand
FAMILY and friends of Nisha Patel-Nasri have spoken of their shock after the special constable was stabbed to death on Thursday last week.
The off-duty officer bled to death when she was knifed outside her home in Sudbury Avenue, North Wembley.
Neighbours heard her screams and rushed to help.
Speaking on Monday, Nisha's grieving husband, Fadi Nasri, 32, appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
"Someone has got a guilty conscience," he said.
"They shall be worrying about what they have done, or be shocked.
"We know that someone who lives around them has to know something, or seen some blood, or someone acting suspiciously or nervous.
"It might not be important, but just give us a call and let us know."
Fadi runs a car-hire business and there were often valuable limousines and Hummers parked outside the couple's home.
He was on his way to meet friends when he found out what had happened to his wife.
Geraldine Thompson, Nisha's nextdoor neighbour, called 999 when she heard the 29-year-old screaming at 11.53pm.
Her husband tried to help Nisha as she lay bleeding on the pavement.
Mrs Thompson said: "We saw each other just in passing, but she was lovely, very pretty and always had a smile.
"It is devastating that this has happened.
"It was tragic she couldn't get emergency treatment sooner."
Nisha, who ran a hairdressing business from her family's home in nearby Rugby Avenue, had served as a volunteer special constable for four years, based at Wembley police station.
Her brother Katen Patel, 33, was due to get married at the weekend, but cancelled the ceremony.
He said: "She had been waiting for this day for years and years and years.
"She kept trying to set me up with her hairdressing clients.
"But the day's here now, and she's not around.
"I'm not even thinking about the wedding, I'm just thinking about her.
"I don't care that I'm not getting married. She's not here, so I don't care.
"We want somebody to come forward, the person who did it, you as well.
"Please come forward and just admit it, because Nisha didn't deserve this."
On the evening on May 6 Nisha had reported an attempted burglary at her home.
It is not known whether this incident is connected to her murder.
Nisha was wearing her night clothes when she was attacked.
It is thought she may have been stabbed with a knife from her own kitchen.
Misbah Syal, 28, who used to walk to Wembley High School with Nisha, said: "It is completely devastating.
"I can't get my head around this whole thing, it is awful."
Another neighbour, Kamlesh Chudasma, said: "When I heard the second scream I ran outside.
"I saw Nisha and asked her if she was OK and she said 'I have been stabbed'.
"I went in the car with some neighbours to drive around and see if we could find anyone, but saw nothing.
"My kids came out and saw all these police.
"I could not tell them what happened because then they would be scared to ever come out again."
The officer in charge of the investigation, Det Supt Julian Worker, said: "It is absolutely tragic that somebody who gives up their time for the community meets their death in such circumstances.
"I urge people who may have seen or heard something to come forward."
Chief Supt Andy Bamber, borough commander for Brent, said: "We are shocked and saddened by the murder.
"I think I can speak for all my colleagues and the local community when I say her loss will have a great impact on the borough.
"She was a lively, and dedicated officer who was committed to serving the community."
A young couple said they saw a black man wearing a hooded top running towards Sylvester Road on the night of the attack.
Police are appealing for a second man who was walking very calmly towards East Lane, the opposite direction to the first man, to come forward.
Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8247 7821.
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