The parents of Elianne Andam, a victim of knife crime, pledge to continue their fight for justice after her killer was found guilty
Croydon: The parents of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, who was tragically stabbed to death, are determined to keep fighting against knife crime. They made this vow after her killer, Hassan Sentamu, was found guilty.
Elianne’s parents, Dorcas and Michael, expressed their heartbreak over losing their daughter. They described the day of her murder as a moment that shattered their lives forever.
They shared how the trial felt like a fight for justice, facing painful details about Elianne’s last moments. It’s something they say will haunt them always.
Despite the pain, they see the verdict as a step toward justice for Elianne. They want to send a strong message that violence, especially against young women, will not be tolerated.
As they begin to heal, they focus on honoring Elianne’s memory. They remember her as a bright and loving soul who brought joy to everyone around her.
They promised to keep sharing her story and fighting against the violence that took her away. They want to ensure no other family has to go through such heartbreak.
On the day of her murder, Elianne was trying to help a friend. She had gone to meet Sentamu to retrieve her friend’s belongings after a breakup.
Things escalated quickly when Elianne tried to grab the bag containing the items. Sentamu chased her down, pulled out a knife, and stabbed her multiple times.
One of those stabs was fatal, and he fled the scene as Elianne collapsed. Bystanders rushed to help and called for emergency services.
Sentamu discarded the knife in a nearby garden and took a bus home. He was later arrested after being spotted by a local officer.
During the trial, he tried to deny his involvement, even giving a false name. He didn’t explain why he had a knife or why he was wearing gloves that day.
Police found a matching set of knives at his home, with one missing—the one used to kill Elianne. He never revealed why he had the knife or what led to the attack.
Sentamu had previously expressed concern about looking foolish after an incident with Elianne and her friends. He even texted a friend saying he couldn’t let it slide.
In a previous hearing, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, citing autism as a factor. However, he was ultimately found guilty of murder and possession of a knife.
