Published: 03 August ‘2025. The English Chronicle Online
A sense of shock and mourning has descended on the academic city of Cambridge following the death of a young man believed to be an international student, brutally assaulted in the heart of the city late on Friday night. The incident, which unfolded in Mill Park, has led to the arrest of two individuals as Cambridgeshire Police intensify their investigation into what is being treated as a murder.
The victim, a 20-year-old male, was attacked around 11:27pm on August 1st in an area frequented by locals and students alike. Emergency services responded swiftly to reports of violence, but despite their efforts, the young man was later pronounced dead. Initial investigations suggest he was enrolled at the EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a respected institution that draws students from across the globe for intensive English language study.
Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed the arrests of two men in connection with the fatal assault. A 21-year-old has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder, while a 50-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both suspects remain held at Thorpe Wood Police Station as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the tragic killing.
EF International Language Campuses has publicly expressed its sorrow over the loss, describing the deceased as one of its “adult students.” In a statement, the school conveyed deep sadness and solidarity with the student’s loved ones. “We are working closely with the local police, who are investigating the incident and have confirmed they made arrests. The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority,” the statement read. The school has also mobilised support resources for affected students and staff, including the provision of counselling sessions.
Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation, emphasised that inquiries are ongoing and appealed directly to the public for assistance. “We are still in the early stages of this investigation and are urging anyone with any information about the events of that night, no matter how small, to contact the force as soon as possible.”
The murder has not only cast a pall over the student community but has also raised urgent questions about safety in public spaces in Cambridge, particularly for young people living far from home. Known for its historic university and tranquil atmosphere, Cambridge is rarely the site of violent crime, making this incident all the more jarring.
As the investigation progresses, both the local community and the international student body wait anxiously for answers—and for justice. For now, the city mourns a life cut tragically short, and the reverberations of the attack are being felt far beyond Mill Park.
