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15 October 2014, 15:01 | Updated: 15 October 2014, 15:11
Four men and three women are being questioned on suspicion of murdering a 19-year-old who was beaten to death in Watford.
The seven, who are from the Bangladeshi community, are being held by detectives investigating the killing of Shahana Uddin, who would have celebrated her 20th birthday on Tuesday.
Police and ambulance crews were were called to a terraced house in Leavesden Road, Watford shortly after 9.15 am on Saturday (October 11th).
Shahana was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem revealed that Shahana, also known as Shehana, died as a result of injuries sustained from physical assault.
Detectives are hoping that friends of Shanhana may be able to shed light on the motive for the murder.
They want to speak to anyone who she made have confided in about her personal life or any personal problems.
Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie, from the Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Yesterday was Shahana's twentieth birthday, but instead of marking such a significant milestone in a young woman's life police are now appealing for information to help us investigate her murder.
Although we have arrested four men and three women in connection with this investigation, we need the public's help.
I am particularly appealing to friends and associates of Shahana to come forward.
You may have vital information which could assist our investigation.
Did you know Shahana?
You may also have known her as Shehana.
Were you friends with her and did she ever confide in you?
Did you see Shahana on Friday October 10th or did you have any contact with her in recent weeks?
I would like to stress to anyone who may be able to help, but who may be nervous about doing so - that if you do have information it will be treated in strict confidence.
Please come forward, a young woman has lost her life and we need to establish what has happened to her and find those responsible, I would urge you to please do the right thing and call us."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hertfordshire police on the incident room number: 01707 355666 or on 101 quoting Operation Pipette.
Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.