A man has been found guilty of murder after he violently assaulted a woman and threw her from a car, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
On Thursday, March 5, a jury at the Old Bailey convicted 36-year-old Duane Owusu, residing on Althorne Way in Dagenham, for the murder of 27-year-old Zahwa Mukhtar. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in Chadwell Heath.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke from Specialist Crime North expressed his condolences, stating, „Our thoughts today are with Zahwa’s family, who have demonstrated great dignity and patience after losing their daughter in such horrendous circumstances.“ He emphasized the compelling evidence against Owusu, noting that CCTV footage presented during the trial depicted him as a remorseless killer who displayed a shocking lack of empathy towards his victim.
Zahwa met Owusu in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, while he was socializing with a group in Hackney. She eventually joined them and ended up in a car with the group.
At approximately 4:30 AM, a dispute arose, leading Owusu to throw Zahwa out of the vehicle on Chadwell Heath Lane. He then exited the car and physically assaulted her before returning to the vehicle and fleeing the scene, leaving Zahwa unconscious on the roadside.
Shortly thereafter, police conducted a routine stop of the car. During this stop, a small amount of drugs was discovered, and Owusu was recorded on body-worn video exhibiting aggressive behavior. Although officers allowed the car to leave, they planned to interview the driver at a later time.
Meanwhile, bystanders alerted the police to an injured woman nearby. Officers responded promptly and began administering CPR to the unconscious Zahwa. Unfortunately, paramedics pronounced her dead shortly after their arrival.
Investigators linked the stopped vehicle to Zahwa’s death and worked to trace the movements of its passengers. They obtained disturbing CCTV footage of the fatal assault, which clearly showed Owusu throwing Zahwa from the car and subsequently attacking her. This incident is reminiscent of other tragic events, such as the murder of a woman in Willesden and the fatal stabbing in Camden.
Additional CCTV footage captured Owusu and a passenger from the car waiting for a taxi. During this time, Owusu was overheard criticizing the other man for wanting to return and assist Zahwa, labeling him a „weak link.“ This behavior raised immediate suspicions about Owusu’s involvement in the crime.
Owusu was arrested on Sunday, August 17, and taken into police custody, where he opted to give a no-comment interview.
Sentencing for Owusu is scheduled for Thursday, March 12. The impact on the community following the murder charge in Lambeth is still being felt as the investigation continues.
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Bildquelle: ai-generated-gemini
