A FATHER has paid tribute to his “brilliant” daughter, who died of a single stab wound to the neck.

Aliza Ahmed Mirza, 18, a student of Lansdowne Road, Ilford was found in Forest View Road, near Wanstead Flats, on Saturday (April 3) at about 7.40pm.

She was taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital and died of her injuries later that evening.

Her father Munir Mirza, 50, described her as a “diamond”, according to the BBC and the Metro.

He said: “She was pretty, intelligent and had a very bright future.

“She was a brilliant girl and had all the qualities a daughter should have.”

A 17-year-old boy and a 45-year-old man – reportedly Ms Mirza's ex-boyfriend and his father – have been arrested on suspicion of her murder.

A group set up in Miss Mirza’s memory on social networking site Facebook has now attracted nearly 6,000 members.

Det Ch Insp Stephen Clayman, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, has appealed to anyone who may have seen Miss Mirza just before she was attacked.

He said: “We believe that there would have been people in and around the Forest View Road area that we hope may have seen our victim.

“We are also keen to hear from anybody who may have seen or heard anything they think was suspicious or who may have seen anyone leaving the area, either on foot or in a car.”

Two women, aged 20 and 41, and a 42-year-old man, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been bailed until late April.

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room on 8345 3775 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.