Qatar Arrests Suspects After Teacher Killed In Doha

Qatar made several arrests after a teacher in Doha was murdered. Police arrested several suspects in connection with the murder of British primary school teacher Lauren Patterson.

The 24-year-old went missing on the morning of October 12 and posts from her boyfriend, James Grima, on social media suggested she was found dead later on.

While her death hasn’t been confirmed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, The Guardian reports that the Qatari Ministry of the Interior announced the arrests of several suspects in a “European woman’s murder.”

Grima, who hails from Malta, wrote about his girlfriend on Facebook, appearing to confirm her death. He stated, “I can’t believe that it had to end this way Lauren, I really don’t. I was so happy that I finally found someone that could change my life so much and in such a positive way too… Rest In Peace, babe.”

Yahoo! News notes that Patterson taught at a primary school in Doha. She was last seen leaving a nightclub inside a luxury hotel with two men. Her boyfriend was the one to raise the alarm for her and launched a campaign on social media to find her. Her body was reportedly found in a bin outside the Cigale Hotel.

However, a local newspaper reported that police didn’t cordon off any area around the hotel and employees at the hotel denied a body was found there. However, Lauren Patterson’s mother also appeared to confirm her death and was reportedly flying to Doha from Chiselhurst in south east London to identify her daughter’s body.

Patterson’s mother wrote on Facebook, “She was truly a remarkable girl, my rock, always there for everyone. I know she’s in heaven now in her Daddy’s arms.” While no official confirmation of the teacher’s death was given, the Foreign Office stated it was providing counseling to Patterson’s family.

Reports added that two Qatari men were arrested in Lauren Patterson’s death.

[Image via Wikimedia Commons]