Koci Selamaj, an Albanian-born man resident in Eastbourne, East Sussex, pleaded guilty to her murder in February 2022 and was sentenced to life imprisonment in April 2022.

[12][13] While Nessa was walking through Cator Park,[10] Selamaj struck her unconscious with a blunt instrument, thought to be a traffic triangle, before dragging her into bushes where it is alleged she was strangled.

[10] En route back to Eastbourne, Selamaj stopped near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where he disposed of the traffic triangle in the River Teise.

As in the case of Henry and Smallman, Nessa's death raised concerns that the killings of women of colour were still taken less seriously by law enforcement.

[2][31] Nessa's sister, Jebina Yasmin Islam, said that while Clive Efford MP had supported her family, more senior officeholders had been "useless".

[32] She suggested that Priti Patel was unsupportive and had used Nessa's name for publicity, saying "You haven't even bothered to ask [what the family are going through] since the death of my sister.

[2][34][35][36] Her family spoke at a rally at East London Mosque attended by faith leaders, women's groups and local politicians, including Rushanara Ali MP.

[37][38] A video message from Zara Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain was played at the mosque, and a candle was lit at 10 Downing Street.

[40] Dame Vera Baird attended the vigil for Nessa in London and commented that societal change is needed and the police must do more.