Murder of Elianne Andam
| Murder of Elianne Andam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Whitgift Centre, Croydon, London |
| Date | 27 September 2023 8.31am BST |
Attack type | Stabbing |
| Weapons | Knife |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Victims | Elianne Andam |
| Charges | Murder (initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter) |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Convictions | Murder |
| Convicted | Hassan Sentamu |
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 convicted of murder. He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years in prison.
Background
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. Earlier that day, a meeting had been arranged between Hassan Sentamu and his ex-girlfriend to exchange personal belongings, including a teddy bear. Sentamu attended the meeting without the teddy bear and had armed himself with a knife in advance.[2]
Andam accompanied her friend to provide support during the exchange. During the encounter, Andam took a bag of clothes that had been handed to Sentamu and ran away. Sentamu chased after her and stabbed her multiple times. Andam collapsed at the scene and later died from her injuries approximately 50 minutes later, at 9:21 a.m.[3] The attack was recorded on CCTV, and Sentamu was arrested shortly afterwards on the same day.[2]
Sentamu pleaded guilty to manslaughter, with his legal team arguing that he had diminished responsibility due to reduced decision-making capacity associated with autism. The jury rejected this argument and convicted him of murder.[4][5][6]
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]
References
- ^ "'She was a miracle baby': Elianne Andam had dreams of law career, aunt tells BBC". BBC News. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Teenager who stabbed schoolgirl Elianne Andam to death in 'frenzied' attack in Croydon jailed for at least 23 years". Sky News. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "R v HASSAN SENTAMU SENTENCING REMARKS 13 MARCH 2025" (PDF).
- ^ Staff Writer (14 March 2025). "'Her legacy will live on': Elianne Andam's family reacts to killer's 23-year minimum sentence". Voice Online. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "Updated with sentence: Teenager found guilty of the murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl". The Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "Elianne Andam murder: Hassan Sentamu jailed for life". BBC News. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ O'Reilly, Luke (23 October 2024). "Stormzy joins mourners at vigil for Croydon stab victim Elianne Andam". Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ Finnan, Sarah. "The horrific murder of Elianne Andam proves the patriarchy is only getting worse | IMAGE.ie". www.image.ie. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Pantony, Ali (28 September 2023). "What will it take for online incel culture to be taken seriously?". Glamour UK. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Fleary, Sinai (6 August 2024). "Black women need Black men to help stop femicide 'crisis' say campaigners". Voice Online. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "Elianne Andam: 'Sense of emotional illiteracy among men and boys'". BBC News. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Donnelly, Luke (14 March 2025). "Netflix's Adolescence inspired by true story of Croydon girl's murder". My London. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "Is 'Adolescence,' Netflix's latest hit, based on a true story? What the creator has said". TODAY.com. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Hogan, Michael (17 March 2025). "'Unnervingly on-the-nose': why Adolescence is such powerful TV that it could save lives". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Perry, Kevin E G (31 March 2025). "Adolescence writer reacts to 'absurd' race-swapping theory spread by Elon Musk". The Independent. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (31 March 2025). "'Adolescence' Co-Creator Responds to Theory About Show Being "Anti-White Propaganda"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ deJong, Jenna (28 March 2025). "Fact-Check: Is Netflix's "Adolescence" series based on a true story?". Newsweek. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
