The tragic death of 15-year-old Elianne Andam unfolded on a seemingly ordinary morning near the Whitgift Shopping Centre in Croydon, South London. CCTV footage captured the horrifying sequence of events, revealing a confrontation between Elianne, her friend, and the friend’s ex-boyfriend, 17-year-old Hassan Sentamu. The dispute, which originated from a seemingly trivial disagreement over the return of a teddy bear following Sentamu’s recent breakup, escalated rapidly into violence. In an act of loyalty, Elianne grabbed a bag belonging to Sentamu in defense of her friend, triggering a chase that ended in her fatal stabbing.
The chilling CCTV footage depicts Sentamu pursuing Elianne after she retrieved the bag. He quickly caught up to her, cornering the terrified teenager before inflicting multiple stab wounds, one of which severed her carotid artery. The footage then shows Sentamu fleeing the scene, discarding the kitchen knife used in the attack. He was apprehended by police at a bus stop near his home less than 90 minutes later, initially giving a false name to the officers. Bodycam footage recorded the arrest, showing a seemingly nonchalant Sentamu questioning the reasons for his detention.
The events leading up to the tragic incident shed light on the escalating tensions between Sentamu and his ex-girlfriend and her friends. The day before the stabbing, a meeting between Sentamu and the group of girls, including Elianne, took place at the Whitgift Centre. During this encounter, Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend threw water on him, and further teasing and taunts ensued. One of the girls reportedly joked that Sentamu would “kill them all” the following day, a chilling foreshadowing of the tragic events to come. That evening, Sentamu confided in a friend, expressing his anger and inability to “let this slide,” suggesting a premeditated intent to retaliate.
On the morning of the stabbing, Sentamu traveled by bus from his home to the shopping centre, armed with a kitchen knife. He met his ex-girlfriend and her friends in a car park, ostensibly to exchange belongings following the breakup. The ex-girlfriend, particularly eager to retrieve her teddy bear, fulfilled her part of the agreement, handing over a bag of Sentamu’s possessions. However, Sentamu arrived empty-handed, failing to return the teddy bear, which further fueled the already tense situation. Elianne, witnessing her friend’s distress, intervened by taking back the bag Sentamu had received, a gesture of solidarity that ultimately cost her her life.
The prosecution argues that Sentamu’s actions were driven by “white-hot anger” stemming from perceived disrespect, both on the day of the killing and in previous encounters with the girls. While Sentamu has admitted to manslaughter, he denies the charge of murder, claiming a “loss of control” due to his autism. He also contests the charge of possessing a blade in a public place, asserting a “lawful reason” for carrying the knife. The defense will likely focus on Sentamu’s autism diagnosis, exploring how it may have impacted his emotional regulation and decision-making in the moments leading up to the stabbing.
The tragic incident shocked the community, prompting an outpouring of grief and support for Elianne’s family. Hundreds gathered for a candlelit vigil to honor the young victim, including prominent figures such as rapper Stormzy. Elianne’s mother described her daughter as a bright, charismatic individual who loved life and brought joy to those around her. The family’s tribute painted a picture of a thoughtful, kind, and intelligent girl with a promising future ahead, tragically cut short by a senseless act of violence. The trial continues, with the court tasked with determining the degree of Sentamu’s culpability and delivering justice for the untimely death of Elianne Andam.
