On 27 September 2023, Elianne Andam, a 15-year-old British girl was stabbed to death in Croydon, London by 17-year old Hassan Sentamu. Sentamu was arrested that day and later convicted of murder. He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years in prison.
Elianne Princess Nana Andam was born on 28 June 2008 to Michael and Dorcas Andam (nee Dorcow). She was a 15-year old girl and a Year 11 pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School She was described as much-loved and talented, and had aspired to be a human rights lawyer.[1]
The event and outcome
Elianne Andam was stabbed near the Whitgift Centre in Croydon on the morning of 27 September 2023. Andam's killer, Hassan Sentamu had arranged a meeting with a mutual friend, his ex-girlfriend, having promised to return personal items to her, but had armed himself with a knife in advance of the meeting.[2] Andam was there to support her friend, and helped her grab a bag of clothes from Sentamu, at which point, not wanting the two to be late, Andam grabbed another bag that her friend had handed to her and ran off, laughing. Sentamu then proceeded to run after Andam and stab her several times. Andam died 50 minutes later at 9.21am[3]. The murder was recorded on CCTV, and Sentamu was arrested shortly afterwards on the 27th.[2]
Sentamu pleaded guilty to manslaughter, with his lawyers claiming he had diminished responsibility on the grounds that he had reduced decision-making capacity because of autism, but this argument was rejected by the jury, who convicted him of murder rather than manslaughter.[4][5][6]
Mugshot of convicted murderer Hassan Sentamu
Reactions
A candle-lit vigil was held on 4 October 2023 outside the Whitgift Shopping Centre, a week after her death. Thousands of people, many wearing white, attended to pay their respect. Rapper and Croydon native Stormzy joined mourners, standing alongside Andam’s family during prayers. [7]
Andam's killing has been cited as an example of an epidemic of violence against women and girls.[8][9] Death statistics have been cited that show femicide, including Andam's case, is disproportionately affecting Black women.[10][11]
Her murder was mentioned as one of several killings that inspired Stephen Graham to create the Netflix TV drama series Adolescence, which explores the motivations behind extreme acts of violence against girls by young boys. However, the story is not based on any particular incident, according to co-creator Jack Thorne.[12][13][14][15][16][17]
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