Family pay tribute to Christina Abbotts, whose body was found after she failed to turn up to her birthday

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead in bed after failing to turn up to her own birthday celebrations.

Christina Abbotts was found bludgeoned to death in Crawley, West Sussex, on Friday night.

Her family described her as sweet and loving in a tribute released on their behalf by Sussex police.

They said of the 29-year-old, who studied in Cirencester and Oxford: “This independent lady, a much-travelled person, was taken from us far too early. Her friends in London and parts of the UK will also be grieving. The light in our life is now extinguished. Love forever from our family.”

Zahid Naseem, 47, of Amersham in Buckinghamshire, appeared at Brighton magistrates’ court on Monday morning charged with her murder. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address. He was remanded in custody until he appears at a crown court on Wednesday.

Naseem, who knew Abbotts, was arrested at the property, police said. She had been living at the flat in the Gossops Green area of the town.



A postmortem found the preliminary cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head, police said.

Neighbours told how officers “flooded” into the street shortly after 10.30pm on Friday after friends, who were worried when she failed to turn up to meet them in London, raised the alarm.

Maria Slater, prosecuting, asked for the case to be sent straight to a crown court because the nature of the allegation was so serious.

DCI Emma Heater said: “We are supporting Christina’s family and they have asked for privacy at this time. We are investigating the circumstances of her death and are keen to hear anyone who might have seen or heard anything which might help with our investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact police quoting Operation Grayhill.