Mother's tears for strangled daughter

A girl found strangled and dumped in an alley was today described by her mother as someone "everyone loved".

Student Natalie Janiak's body was discovered 12 miles from her home, hours after kissing mother Halina goodbye as she went for a night out with friends in Blackheath.

Mrs Janiak wept as she said she still expected 18-year-old Natalie to come home. At her home in Greenwich, Natalie's Polish-born mother said: "Everyone who knew her loved her. She had lots of friends and was very sociable. She was a non-stop dancer.

"She never stayed out too late and would always be home at a decent time. I have no idea why this happened but I know we have to forgive.

"I am still in complete shock and I keep thinking she will come knocking on the door any moment. Natalie had a very soft heart and would help anyone. She was a lovely girl and studied hard. She always wanted to be a graphic designer."

Last night police took away two cars - a G-reg Peugeot 406 and a red A-reg Triumph Acclaim - from a car park behind the Janiaks' home. They also removed several items from the house in large bin bags.

Her murder has stunned residents in the quiet village of Wilmington. Jimmy Jackaman, 16, a plumbers' assistant, was one of the people who found the body. He said: "She was lying with her back to the ground with her head to one side. Her left arm was stretched out.

"She looked like she was asleep but there was blood coming out of her nose and she was bruised around her cheeks."

Detective Supt Dave Stevens, who led the investigation into the murders of Lin and Megan Russell in 1996, is in charge of the inquiry. Two men are being questioned at Dartford police station.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dartford police on 01322 280055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.